What question did this study set out to answer?

To report a fatal case of rapid post-intubation tracheal laceration extension and examine the complications associated with airway exchange across unrepaired lesions.

August 15, 2026CureusOpen Access

Progressive Extension of a Post-intubation Tracheal Laceration Presenting As Massive Pneumomediastinum: A Case Report

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To report a fatal case of rapid post-intubation tracheal laceration extension and examine the complications associated with airway exchange across unrepaired lesions.
Clinical case evaluation of a female patient in her early 70s intubated for impaired consciousness who developed cervicothoracic subcutaneous emphysema and pneumomediastinum.
Diagnostic workup using flexible bronchoscopy and computed tomography followed by open surgical repair via thoracotomy.
Initial bronchoscopy showed an approximately 4-cm longitudinal membranous tracheal tear, which progressively extended into the cervical trachea by the time of thoracotomy the following day.
Tube exchange over an airway exchange catheter resulted in extraluminal passage through the unrepaired cervical tear, leading to loss of airway, severe hypoxemia, cardiac arrest, and intraoperative death.

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Implication

Case report reveals progressive extension of a tracheal laceration in an intubated patient, highlighting the fatal risk of false-passage creation during tube exchange.

Cite This Study

Marques et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a8019fe75c2e31742c86615 https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.114478

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Implication

Case report reveals progressive extension of a tracheal laceration in an intubated patient, highlighting the fatal risk of false-passage creation during tube exchange.

Progressive Extension of a Post-intubation Tracheal Laceration Presenting As Massive Pneumomediastinum: A Case Report

Key Points

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

Progressive Extension of a Post-intubation Tracheal Laceration Presenting As Massive Pneumomediastinum: A Case Report

Key Points

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

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