[Life-threathening tracheal obstruction following intubation in a case of Willebrand-Jürgens disease].

A case of severe dyspnoea is reported which occurred in a 21-years-old woman with Willebrand-Jürgens disease four days after intubation during a dental operation. A 34 Charrière catheter was introduced into the glottis after a 22 Charrière catheter had failed to pass the obstruction. The patient was then artificially ventilated by means of a Spiromat and was subsequently tracheotomized after her cardio-pulmonary condition had become stabilized. The cause of the dyspnoea was a fibrin clot of 5-6 cm length. Three weeks after the tracheotomy and one week after extubation the patient was discharged from hospital in a satisfactory condition. The factors responsible for the development of the fibrin clot are discussed. If there is persistent stridor and aphonia after extubation a laryngologist should be consulted.