Mucoepidermoid tracheal adenoma during pregnancy.

A 30-year-old, 36-week pregnant, female was admitted to the hospital with progressive "asthma" and wheezing. She was markedly dyspneic and unable to lie down or to sleep for periods over an hour. Bronchoscopy demonstrated an endobronchial tumor just above the carina. Following ventilating tracheal bronchoscopy with dilatation of the trachea and establishment of an airway through the tumor, a cesarean section was performed with resultant delivery of a healthy, female, infant. A partial abruptio placentae was noted. Under the same anesthetic, a right posterior lateral thoracotomy with resection of the tracheal tumor was performed. Preoperative and operative considerations are described.