Work

Gunshot Wound Tracheal Injury and Endotracheal Tube Perforation Into Soft Tissue Pocket With Ventilation Solely Through Murphy’s Eye: A Case Report

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: A patient arrived at the emergency department by ambulance with a gunshot wound to the chest. Concern for tracheal injury was confirmed by imaging, also revealing perforation of the endotracheal tube through the tracheal defect. In the operating room (OR), a fiberoptic bronchoscope was used to visualize the airway, revealing that ventilation was solely occurring through Murphy's eye, which was incidentally lined up with the tracheal defect. A fiberoptic scope was used to reposition the endotracheal tube distal to the injury, securing the airway. This case demonstrates the utility of Murphy's eye and the indispensable role of fiberoptic bronchoscopy in airway navigation.

Source: Cureus

DOI: 10.7759/cureus.97963

Authors: Michael Selby, Kolos K Nagy, Daniel Brodie, Kelan Nesbitt

Institutions: Texas Tech University, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

Language: English

Topic: Airway Management and Intubation Techniques

Subfield: Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W4416755122