Abstract

Background: Tracheostomy is the surgical creation of an opening into the trachea through the neck to establish an airway. Many complications arising from this procedure have been described.
Case Report: We encountered an unusual complication of tracheostomy in which the metallic tracheostomy tube fractured and was aspirated into right main bronchus of a 58-year-old man. The patient had no significant distress, and the foreign body was extracted by use of a rigid bronchoscope.
Conclusions: Breakage of a tracheostomy tube may be a rare complication of tracheostomy. We must be aware of this possibility, instruct patients, their families and health workers properly, and check patients regularly.

Keywords: Tracheostomy, complications,, aspiration, foreign body