• W Eichler, B Sedemund-Adib, J Schumacher, and K F Klotz.
• Klinik für Anästhesiologie und Chirurgie, Medizinische Universität Lübeck.
• Anasthesiol Intensivmed Notfallmed Schmerzther. 1999 Jan 1; 34 (1): 66-70.

AbstractBronchial rupture is a rare but severe complication of intubation with a double-lumen tube. Cardinal symptoms are mediastinal and subcutaneous emphysema as well as pneumothorax. Larger injuries result in an air leak and the endtidal carbon dioxide decreases. The gas exchange may worsen drastically when mucosal prolapse or bronchial haemorrhagia lead to bronchial occlusion. Mediastinitis or sepsis can be the sequel of the opened mediastinum. If bronchial injury is suspected probably fibreoptic bronchoscopy is indicated. We report on a case of bronchial rupture due to overinflation of the endobronchial cuff or movement of the inflated cuff when repositioning the patient. The conservative therapy was successful in spite of the fact that surgical intervention is recommended in the literature following bronchial rupture. To avoid tracheobronchial injuries an adequate tubus size must be selected. The more flexible polyvinylchloride (PVC) tubes without a carinal hook should be preferred to the Carlens tube. An atraumatic intubation is promoted by leaving the stylet inside after the tip of the tube has passed the vocal cords. To identify the minimum occlusive pressure of the endobronchial cuff for lung isolation different methods are described and should be used. The cuff has to be deflated when the patient is repositioned and when one-lung-ventilation is not required. Tumours of the tracheobronchial tree and weakness of the bronchial wall caused by steroid hormone therapy or COPD may increase the risk of tracheobronchial laceration.

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