# Life-Threatening Tracheal Obstruction from Mucosal Flap

## TL;DR

An 83-year-old man developed a life-threatening tracheal obstruction after intubation, which was successfully treated with bronchoscopy.

## Contribution

This case highlights a rare complication of intubation and its effective management through rigid bronchoscopy.

## Key findings

- A mobile tracheal flap caused severe airway obstruction after extubation.
- Rigid bronchoscopy successfully removed the flap and restored airway patency.
- No recurrence was observed at the 1-month follow-up.

## Abstract

Herein, we report an uncommon case of life-threatening airway obstruction that occurred in an 83-year-old man who underwent a difficult intubation and was extubated 48 hours later. After extubation, he experienced acute respiratory distress, stridor, and hypoxemia. Bronchoscopy evaluation showed a mobile tracheal flap causing severe obstruction and was followed by a rigid bronchoscopy with mechanical removal of the lesion and restored of airway patency. At 1-month follow-up, no recurrence was found.

Herein, we reported an uncommon case of life-threatening airway obstruction due to a mobile tracheal flap that occurred in an 83-year-old man who underwent a difficult intubation and was extubated 48 hours later.