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Case report
Hypopharyngeal perforation: an uncommon cause of pneumoperitoneum
  1. S A A Woodcock,
  2. H Bird,
  3. A K Siriwardena,
  4. S Ellenbogen
  1. Department of Surgery, Tameside General Hospital, Ashton under Lyne, Lancashire
  2. Department of Anaesthetics, Tameside General Hospital
  3. Department of Surgery, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester
  1. Correspondence to: Mr Woodcock, Department of Surgery, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9WL, UK (sean.woodcock{at}virgin.net)

Abstract

Endotracheal intubation is common practice being performed both electively and as an emergency. Complications of this procedure are uncommon. A case is described of hypopharyngeal rupture after emergency intubation that presented with a pneumoperitoneum. The clinical signs, relevant investigations and management options are discussed for this injury and the need is emphasised for a high index of suspicion in order to make an early diagnosis.

  • hypopharyngeal perforation
  • endotracheal intubation

https://doi.org/10.1136/emj.18.5.396

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    Footnotes

    • Contributors

      S A A Woodcock initiated and coordinated the writing up of the case, reviewed the case notes, carried out a MEDLINE search and co-wrote the paper. H Bird helped in the initial appraisal of the case. A K Siriwardena helped evaluate the relative importance of aspects of the case and co-wrote the paper. S Ellenbogen discussed core ideas relating to the paper and is the guarantor.