OBJECTIVE: Tracheostomy tubes are extensively used in paediatric age group for airway issues. Their fracture and lodgement into trachea is an acute emergency requiring urgent intervention. CASES: We report three such paediatric cases having tracheostomy tube fracture and aspiration into trachea with different presentations and treatment outcomes. RESULTS: One patient was successfully managed with bronchoscopy and fractured tube removal. One patient succumbed to asphyxia before any intervention. The third patient was having supratubal tracheal stenosis making things more dangerous, but was managed successfully by tracheoscopy through tracheostomy opening with removal of fractured tube. CONCLUSION: Immediate identification is the key to successful management of this rare but life threatening situation. In the presence of tracheal stenosis above the tracheostomy opening, situation becomes more dangerous with very limited options for management.
OBJECTIVE:Tracheostomy tubes are extensively used in paediatric age group for airway issues. Their fracture and lodgement into trachea is an acute emergency requiring urgent intervention. CASES: We report three such paediatric cases having tracheostomy tube fracture and aspiration into trachea with different presentations and treatment outcomes. RESULTS: One patient was successfully managed with bronchoscopy and fractured tube removal. One patient succumbed to asphyxia before any intervention. The third patient was having supratubal tracheal stenosis making things more dangerous, but was managed successfully by tracheoscopy through tracheostomy opening with removal of fractured tube. CONCLUSION: Immediate identification is the key to successful management of this rare but life threatening situation. In the presence of tracheal stenosis above the tracheostomy opening, situation becomes more dangerous with very limited options for management.