Conservative management of a posterior tracheal tear: a case report.

We describe a case of posterior tracheal wall tear managed conservatively with a successful outcome. The presentation of a sudden increase in cuff volume and subcutaneous emphysema presents a challenging management problem requiring careful bronchoscopic and computed tomography delineation and isolation of the injury using a double lumen tube. This case also highlights the vulnerability of the trachea to injury from airway intervention and considers the possible mechanisms of tracheal injuries during the commonly performed intensive care procedure of percutaneous tracheostomy.