Perforation of and Intubation through the Palatoglossal Fold

Abstract

Perforation of pharyngeal soft tissues on intubation is rare. We present a case where the endotracheal tube punctured the palatoglossal fold before passing into the trachea. The patient was ventilated for eight days in intensive care before identification of the complication. It is difficult to estimate the frequency of pharyngeal perforation as it rarely occurs. There is however, an increased incidence in difficult intubations, emergency airway management, inexperienced operators and technique used.