Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Silicone breathing tubes broke during dog extubation
By Niimura del Barrio, M C et al.·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·2015·University College Dublin Veterinary Hospital·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Breakage of two silicone endotracheal tubes during extubation.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Two dogs had their silicone breathing tubes break during a routine procedure after anesthesia. The broken pieces were safely removed using a special camera tool, and both dogs recovered without any further issues. It seems that a buildup of bacteria on the tubes may have caused them to break, so it's important for veterinarians to clean and inspect these tubes thoroughly before use. Proper cleaning and drying techniques can help prevent this problem in the future.
People also search for: dog anesthesia breathing tube break · dog recovery after anesthesia · how are endotracheal tubes cleaned for dogs
Abstract
Silicone endotracheal tubes broke during tracheal extubation of two dogs after uneventful anaesthesia. The remaining pieces were removed via endoscopy, and both dogs recovered with no further problems. A third silicone endotracheal tube broke while checking for cracks prior to its use. Biofilm formation on the surface of the endotracheal tube is thought to be the main cause of the breakage. Destruction of the biofilm is difficult, therefore exhaustive cleaning with detergents followed by vigorous brushing is recommended to break the interaction between the silicone surface and the biofilm. It is suggested that careful attention is paid to how tubes are cleaned and dried (in a hanging position), and that they are checked carefully for cracks prior to each use.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25851419/