Abstract
Dobhoff tube is a specialized small-bore and flexible nasogastric tube that makes it more comfortable for placement than a usual nasogastric tube. Dobhoff tube insertion is commonly considered a relatively safe bedside procedure, but it is not without its associated risks. Inadvertent tracheobronchial placement of Dobhoff tube has been associated with severe complications, most notably pneumothorax. We present a rare cause of right-sided hemothorax following tracheobronchial insertion of a Dobhoff tube with a prolonged and arduous clinical course.
Highlights
Dobhoff and other flexible, small-bore nasogastric tubes are frequently placed for maintenance of enteral nutrition and delivery of medications in the inpatient setting
The aim of this report is to present a unique case of traumatic hemothorax caused by Dobhoff tube misplacement
Full resolution of the hemothorax was achieved with chest tube placement and treatment with tissue plasminogen activator (TPA)/dornase alpha
Summary
Small-bore nasogastric tubes are frequently placed for maintenance of enteral nutrition and delivery of medications in the inpatient setting. Dobhoff tube placement is typically considered a benign procedure and is most often performed using only visual and tactile clues to guide insertion during swallowing. A large majority of these cases are met with no complications. Hemothorax (a collection of blood within the pleural cavity) has been mentioned as a potential complication of a misplaced enteral feeding tube, but very few cases have been documented previously [9,10]. The aim of this report is to present a unique case of traumatic hemothorax caused by Dobhoff tube misplacement
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