Multiple postintubation complications

Four cases of multiple postintubation laryngotracheal injuries are presented. They encompass a range of injury including isolated soft tissue damage to total necrosis of the cricotracheal cartilages. The specific precursors were identified and retrospective pitfalls in management outlined. These included difficult intubation, an oversized endotracheal tube, a prolonged duration of intubation, reintubation, and debilitation. Three basic stages of injury were found upon which a treatment regimen was founded: 1) edema alone; 2) infected mucosa alone or with involvement of the internal perichondrium; and 3) true chondritis with or without necrosis. A rational, conservative management protocol based on these histopathological and clinical correlates was formulated.

Problems of anaesthesia in the burnt child

The problems of providing satisfactory anaesthesia for the burnt child, both in the initial treatment, in repeated dressings and in the correction of subsequent deformities are discussed, and the dangers and complications of general anaesthesia emphasized.

Laryngotracheal obstruction complicating tracheostomy or endotracheal intubation with assisted respiration. A critical review

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The evolution of tracheal injury due to ventilatory assistance through cuffed tubes: a pathologic study

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