Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-fscjk Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-28T20:39:57.188Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Corrosion and fracture of a silver tracheostomy tube

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2007

P. J. Brockhurst  and
C. K. Feltoe
P. J. Brockhurst*
Affiliation:
Metallurgist, Therapeutic Devices Branch, Australian Department of Community Services and Health, Melbourne, Australia.
C. K. Feltoe
Affiliation:
Biomedical Engineer, Therapeutic Devices Branch, Australian Department of Community Services and Health, Melbourne, Australia.
*
Dr. Peter Brockhurst, Therapeutic Goods Administration, Therapeutic Devices Branch, 240 Langbnidge Street, Abbotsford, Victoria 3067, Australia.
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

A sterling silver tracheostomy tube broke in use resulting in the death of a child. The nature of the fracture in the brazed joint is described, and corrosion identified as the mechanism of degradation of the joint. The corrosion is due either to exposure to body fluids over a long period, or to the use of hypochlorite solutions for cleaning and disinfection. The silver braze used had inferior corrosion resistance. It is recommended that appropriate grades of silver brazing alloy be used in the future, and that the mechanical integrity of medical devices joined with silver braze be regularly checked to anticipate failure in use.

Type
Clinical Records
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 105 , Issue 1 , January 1991 , pp. 48 - 49
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 1991

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Brockhurst, P., Pham, H. (1989) Orthodontic silver brazing alloys. Australian Orthodontic Journal, 11: 96–99.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kakar, P., Saharia, P. (1972) An unusual foreign body in the tracheo-bronchial tree. Journal of Laryngology and Otology, 86: 1155–1157.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Maru, Y., Pun, N., Majid, A. (1978) An unusual foreign body in the tracheo-bronchial tree. Journal of Laryngology and Otology, 92: 1045–1048.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ming, C., Ghani, S. (1989) Fractured tracheostomy tube in the tracheobronchial tree. Journal of Laryngology and Otology, 103: 335–336.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Myatt, J., Willatts, D. (1984) An inhaled tracheostomy tube. Anesthesia, 39: 1235–1236.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Okafor, B. (1983) Fracture of tracheostomy tubes. Pathogenesis and prevention. Journal of Laryngology and Otology, 97: 771–774.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Otto, R., Davis, W. (1985) Tracheostomy tube fracture: An unusual etiology of upper respiratory airway obstruction. Laryngoscope, 95: 980–981.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed