Mainstem bronchial obstruction secondary to nasotracheal intubation: a case report and review of the literature.

omplications experienced by the trauma patient can stem from resuscitation efforts as C well as from injury. In this case, a complication associated with endotracheal intubation via the nasal approach was initially attributed to the trauma. Damage to the nasal mucosa, turbinates, and the nasopharyngeal wall during Ramtracheal intubation have been well described (l), but dislodgement of a nasal turbinate by a nasotracheal tube with impaction in the bronchus is an unusual complication that has not previously been reported. When signs and symptoms of bronchial obstruction are seen after tracheal intubation by the ~ s a l approach in a trauma patient without external or radiographic evidence of chest trauma, this complication should be suspected.