Pneumothorax following nasogastric feeding tube insertion in a tracheostomized patient after bilateral lung transplantation

Abstract

We report the case of a pneumothorax caused by the improper placement of a nasogastric feeding tube in a tracheostomized patient after bilateral lung transplantation. We discuss the contribution of low-pressure cuffed tracheostomy tubes to the inadvertent respiratory tract misplacement of a nasogastric feeding tube, as well as the problems of nasogastric feeding tube insertion in the sedated patient, why the previously installed closed-tube thoracostomy did not prevent the pneumothorax and possible pitfalls in confirming the proper position of the nasogastric feeding tube. In conclusion, we stress that in high risk patients a nasogastric feeding tube should only be inserted under direct vision and that a subsequent routine X-ray is mandatory for confirming proper positioning.