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VOLUME 20 , ISSUE 3 ( 2016 ) > List of Articles

CASE REPORT

Inadvertent migration of guidewire into Murphy′s eye of endotracheal tube during percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy

Devi Prasad Samaddar, Tushar Kumar

Keywords : Complications, guidewire, impaction, percutaneous tracheostomy

Citation Information : Samaddar DP, Kumar T. Inadvertent migration of guidewire into Murphy′s eye of endotracheal tube during percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy. Indian J Crit Care Med 2016; 20 (3):188-190.

DOI: 10.4103/0972-5229.178186

License: CC BY-ND 3.0

Published Online: 01-10-2013

Copyright Statement:  Copyright © 2016; The Author(s).


Abstract

Percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy is a commonly performed bedside procedure in the Intensive Care Unit. Although serious and fatal complications have been reported, the procedure is by and large safe to perform in experienced hands. We report here an innocuous problem encountered twice. After the guidewire insertion and dilatation, subsequent railroading became difficult owing to migration of guidewire into the Murphy′s eye of the endotracheal tube (ETT). Awareness about this possibility can avert inadvertent delays and complications during the procedure. A tug or gentle pulling of ETT after insertion of the guidewire rules out an impaction in the eye or other part of the ETT.


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