Tracheostomy tube fracture: an unusual etiology of upper respiratory airway obstruction

Abstract

Tracheostomy tube fracture with subsequent migration of the proximal fragment down the tracheobronchial tree is an almost unheard of cause of tracheal foreign bodies. Most such occurrences have been reported outside the United States, and only six previous reports have been filed. We report an additional case of fractured tracheostomy tube and review the literature.