Blind passage of a nasogastric suction catheter during anaesthesia resulted in sudden inability to ventilate the patient. Passage of the catheter into the trachea was diagnosed and ventilation restored following catheter removal. Misdiagnosis of this situation can result in potentially disastrous attempted remedies.
ZwagillL.W., MetzeroffK.O.Mechanical ventilation compromised by misplacement of nasogastric tube: report of an unusual incident. Respir Care1973; 18: 60–61.
2.
SweatmanA.J., TomaselloP.A., LoughheadM.G., OrrM., DattaT.Misplacement of nasogastric tubes and oesophageal monitoring devices. Br J Anaesth1978; 50: 389–392, 1978.
