TY - JOUR T1 - Complete resolution of large iatrogenic tracheal laceration with conservative approach JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J VL - 44 IS - Suppl 58 SP - P2441 AU - Liesbeth Vervliet AU - Paul Van Schil AU - Wim Vos AU - Tessi Beyltjens AU - Rogier Vroon AU - Wilfried De Backer AU - Peter Van Hal Y1 - 2014/09/01 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/44/Suppl_58/P2441.abstract N2 - Tracheal laceration is a rare complication of tracheal intubation. Its management, surgical versus conservative, is still a matter of debate. Only in the absence of respiratory failure and a laceration size < 4 cm, a conservative approach is preferred.(Schneider T et al Ann Thoracic Surg 2007;83:1960)We present two cases of large tracheal post-intubation lacerations. The tears, localized in the membranous part, were > 4 cm long and healed spontaneously as confirmed by chest CT and bronchoscopy after 4 weeks. In both cases prophylactic antibiotics were administered.A 45-year-old woman presented with progressive subcutaneous emphysema 8 days after arthroscopy under general anesthesia. Chest CT showed a 5 cm long lesion of the membranous part of the distal trachea with pneumomediastinum. During bronchoscopy opening and closing of the lesion in phase with respiration was observed.A 53-year-old woman presented with massive subcutaneous facial emphysema after gastroscopy under general anesthesia. CT revealed a defect at the level of the right posterior tracheal membrane just proximal of the main carina and bronchoscopy confirmed a large patulous laceration. (figure)Although a surgical approach is usually preferred in tracheal lacerations > 4 cm, a complete and uncomplicated healing of lesions of the membranous part may be observed with conservative treatment. ER -