Palatal and retropharyngeal injury secondary to intubation using the GlideScope® video laryngoscope.

INTRODUCTION

There are few reports of injury to the soft palate and retropharynx sustained during intubation with the GlideScope® video laryngoscope. Most reports are of isolated injury to the soft palate.

CASE HISTORY: We describe a patient in whom the retropharynx was injured but the extent of the injury was not observed initially. The patient did not suffer severe sequelae from this injury. However, this injury can cause serious sequelae if it is not recognised (eg development of a retropharyngeal abscess).

CONCLUSIONS

We recommend that any patient who sustains injury to the soft palate during intubation (particularly if the endotracheal tube passes through the soft palate) should be reviewed an otolaryngologist before removal of the endotracheal tube.