T-Tube Aspiration: Revisiting a Rare Life-Threatening Event

T-tubes are generally safe artificial airways used to stent and maintain the laryngotracheal airway in patients with stenosis or after laryngotracheal reconstruction. T-tube related airway complications are uncommon but potentially life-threatening. T-tube aspiration is rarely reported in the literature and may occur after coughing episodes and deep inspiration. Two cases of T-tube aspiration in patients with traumatic brain injury and laryngotracheal stenosis are presented, where altered mental status contributed to the aspiration events. Otolaryngologists need to be aware of T-tube related airway complications, specifically T-tube aspiration, especially in traumatic brain injury patients who may be at higher risk.