Gastric rupture complicating inadvertent intubation of the esophagus

Rupture of the stomach complicating resuscitative measures is usually fatal. A 74-year-old man who suffered a myocardial infarction and cardiac arrest had perforation of the stomach when the esophagus was inadvertently intubated, ventilating the stomach. Laparotomy was performed and the gastric perforation sutured. In spite of the extensive trauma, the patient, incredibly, recovered. Although very few cases have been reported in which the esophagus has inadvertently been intubated resulting in gastric perforation, this is a potential possibility and should be borne in mind when intubation is followed by abdominal distension, rigidity and tenderness.