Intraoperative tracheal reconstruction with bovine pericardial patch following iatrogenic rupture

Nikolaos Barbetakis¹ , Georgios Samanidis¹ , Dimitrios Paliouras¹ , Christos Lafaras² , Theodoros Bischiniotis² and Christodoulos Tsilikas¹

¹Thoracic Surgery Department, Theagenio Cancer Hospital, A. Simeonidi 2, Thessaloniki, 54007, Greece

²Cardiology Department, Theagenio Cancer Hospital, A. Simeonidi 2, Thessaloniki, 54007, Greece

author email corresponding author email

Patient Safety in Surgery 2008, 2:4doi:10.1186/1754-9493-2-4


Published:	20 February 2008

Abstract

Introduction

Iatrogenic injuries of the membranous trachea have become increasingly common and may trigger a cascade of immediate life-threatening complications.

Case presentation

A case of a 48-year-old man with an iatrogenic membranous tracheal wall rupture after double-lumen intubation during Ivor Lewis esophagogastrectomy is presented. Tracheal injury was successfully managed surgically with the use of bovine pericardial patch and reinforcement with the gastric conduit which was moved toward the posterior wall of the membranous trachea sealing the wall laceration.

Conclusion

Our technique was proved to be safe, effective and not technically demanding. Early recognition with prompt surgery is the gold standard of managing such cases, although small tears can be managed conservatively.