Obstructive shock due to tracheal perforation following long-term placement of a tracheostomy tube in a pediatric patient: a case report

BACKGROUND: Tracheal perforation, although rare, is a known late complication of tracheostomy tube placement. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a 7-year-old boy with severe physical and mental disabilities under tracheostomy and long-term mechanical ventilation and steroid therapy who suddenly developed obstructive shock secondary to pneumomediastinum and pneumothorax. Prior bronchoscopy had shown the tip of the tracheostomy tube contacting the posterior tracheal wall, causing ulceration and subsequent tracheal perforation. The perforation was bridged using a cuffed tracheostomy tube, but the patient subsequently died of additional comorbidities. CONCLUSIONS: Our experience suggests that tracheal perforation should be considered when pediatric patients with tracheostomy tubes suddenly develop hypotension. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40981-022-00522-7.