Intraluminal obstruction of armoured endotracheal tubes-are reused tubes kinkfree but obstruction prone!

Armoured tubes are used to facilitate kink free access to airway. We report a case of airway obstruction and difficult ventilation soon after intubation due to retained mucus/material in a reused armoured tube. Several cases of intraoperative obstruction and high airway pressures have been reported with armoured tubes. This article highlights the propensity of armoured tube inner wall for dissection and intraoperative obstruction with its reuse and suggests clinical and manufacturing measures to reduce the chances of obstruction.