An Unusual Cause of Intrao>era,tive Hypoxemia

Congenital anomalies of the tracheobronchial tree are rare occurrences; however; thqr can lead to pulmonary complications. A tracheal bronchus is an anatomic van’ant in which an ectopic bronchus originates directly from the tracheal wall above the carina. Presented is a case of intraoperatiue hypoxemia due to right upPer lobe collapse. Despite what appeared to be pfoper endotracheal tube positioning, this clinical scenam’o was found to be the result of endotracheal tube obstruction of a tracheal bronchus supplying the right upper lobe. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy proved to be a rapid diagnostic and therapeutic tool, as the endotracheal tube was able to be visually positioned above this aberrantly located bronchus.