PMC5804594_01
Removed clot and endotracheal tube. The removed clot lodged within the endotracheal tube (black arrow); the remaining clot (dotted arrow) removed by suction under fiberoptic bronchoscopy. ETT endotracheal tube
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Fig1
The clot was subsequently secured with the FOB and basket forceps and pulled into the ETT, after which, both were removed and a new ETT successfully inserted (Fig. 1).
Schematic of the mechanism of occlusion of the endotracheal tube. Suspected three-stage mechanism of airway obstruction. a Pre-intubation condition of the airway containing a clot around the insertion site of a mini-tracheostomy tube. b The clot falling into the trachea when the mini-tracheostomy tube was removed. c Lower airway obstruction caused by a clot. MT mini-tracheostomy, ETT endotracheal tube
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Fig2
Fiberoptic bronchoscopy revealed a massive clot in the tracheal wall around the insertion site of the MT tube, but not in the lower bronchi (Fig. 2).