Acute post-traumatic respiratory failure treated with prolonged controlled ventilation and complicated with spontaneously healing tracheo-oesophageal fistula.

Abstract

A case of acute respiratory failure of traumatic origin treated with prolonged controlled ventilation is presented. During treatment a tracheo-oesophageal fistula developed. Early diagnosis and immediate therapeutic management prevented aspiration and further pulmonary complications. The fistula healed spontaneously. Imperfections of the anaesthetic equipment very often cause various tracheal complications.