Successful non-operative management of a contained tracheal tear following iatrogenic endotracheal tube injury

We describe the case of a 5-year-old girl who was intubated in the field and sustained a severe tracheal injury resulting in a pneumothorax and extensive subcutaneous emphysema. She was treated without operative intervention and this tracheal tear was observed by serial bronchoscopy. After 6 weeks the trachea was well healed; in select cases non-operative management is a safe and effective strategy for contained tracheal injuries.