Acute respiratory compromise resulting from tracheal mucous impaction secondary to a transtracheal oxygen catheter

Transtracheal oxygen catheters are being increasingly used because of savings in oxygen usage and patient preference. The complications of the catheter are believed to be minor and easily managed. Inspissated mucous collections that form at the tip of the SCOOP 1 (Transtracheal Systems, Denver, Colorado) catheter have been reported but are usually easily expectorated by the patient. This report describes a patient who had development of acute respiratory compromise from crusted mucoid impaction of the trachea secondary to transtracheal catheter use. General anesthesia and rigid bronchoscopy were required for removal of the obstructing impaction. Unexplained worsening of respiratory symptoms in patients with transtracheal oxygen catheters should be addressed by prompt stripping of the catheter.