Videothoracoscopic treatment of a rare complication of nasojejunal tube insertion.

OBJECTIVE

Intubation of the tracheobronchial tree is the most common type of malposition during the placement of narrow-bore enternal tubes.

CASE REPORT: In addition to other treatment components in a 65-year-old female, nasojejunal feeding was started to treat her for severe acute pancreatitis. After the placement of the narrow-bore feeding tube, she developed dyspnea and huskiness. On auscultation and X-ray investigation, the right pneumothorax was detected and the tube was found in the chest cavity. The diagnosis was confirmed by bronchoscopy. Videothoracoscopic resection and closure of the lacerated lung, using a tube thoracostomy, were performed. The patient recovered after postoperative conservative treatment for her pancreatitis.

CONCLUSION

Pneumothorax and laceration of the lung-caused by the malposition of narrow-bore enternal tube-can be successfully treated by applying videothoracoscopy.