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  • Perinatal/Neonatal Case Presentation
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Perinatal/Neonatal Case Presentation

Acute airway obstruction by a sheared endotracheal intubation stylet sheath in a premature infant

Journal of Perinatology volume 27, pages 727–729 (2007)Cite this article

Abstract

Airway obstruction by foreign bodies is rarely encountered in the neonatal intensive care unit. The majority of those cases reported are iatrogenic. This paper reports a case of acute airway obstruction in a preterm infant caused by a sheared plastic sheath of an endotracheal intubation stylet used during tracheal intubation. The small airway of this premature infant posed a challenge to retrieve the foreign body and to ensure adequate gas exchange at the same time. The risks and benefits of available therapeutic options for this rare, but serious complication are reviewed.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of California Davis Medical Center, Davis, CA, USA

    H-L Chiou & F R Poulain

  2. Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, University of California Davis Medical Center, Davis, CA, USA

    R Diaz

  3. Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of California Davis Medical Center, Davis, CA, USA

    E Orlino Jr

Authors
  1. H-L Chiou
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  2. R Diaz
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  3. E Orlino Jr
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  4. F R Poulain
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Correspondence to F R Poulain.

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Chiou, HL., Diaz, R., Orlino, E. et al. Acute airway obstruction by a sheared endotracheal intubation stylet sheath in a premature infant. J Perinatol 27, 727–729 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7211829

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7211829

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