Published in

European Respiratory Society, European Respiratory Review, 163(31), p. 210126, 2022

DOI: 10.1183/16000617.0126-2021

Links

Tools

Export citation

Search in Google Scholar

Multidisciplinary management of tracheobronchial injury

This paper is made freely available by the publisher.
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.

Full text: Download

Red circle
Preprint: archiving forbidden
Green circle
Postprint: archiving allowed
Green circle
Published version: archiving allowed
Data provided by SHERPA/RoMEO

Abstract

Tracheobronchial injury is a heterogeneous entity comprising multiple rare and potentially life-threatening scenarios. We performed a systematic literature review focusing on post-intubation tracheal injuries (PiTIs) and post-traumatic tracheobronchial injuries (PTTBIs).PiTIs are often longitudinal lacerations of the middle third of the membranous trachea. Subcutaneous emphysema of the face and trunk following tracheal intubation should immediately trigger the diagnosis. Diagnosis may be suspected on the chest computed tomography (CT) and should be confirmed by bronchoscopic examination. Conservative management is encouraged for a spontaneously breathing or stable patient on noninvasive ventilation. Surgical repair is mandatory when mechanical ventilation is required and if bridging of the injury is impossible.PTTBIs are often associated with other severe injuries. Patients often present with massive subcutaneous emphysema and intractable pneumothorax. Diagnosis may be suspected on the chest CT and should be confirmed by bronchoscopic examination. Early surgical repair is indicated. In selected patients, conservative management can be considered.