Airway obstruction by an unexpected equipment damage

Intubating introducers are often used to facilitate difficult endotracheal intubation. We report a case in which a Frova catheter was used for insertion of a laser-resistant endotracheal tube and in which a strip of plastic was shaved off from the catheter. The plastic strip formed a convolute mass, causing relevant airway obstruction. Clinicians should be aware of this potentially dangerous complication and should be cautious in using Frova intubating introducers in combination with laser-resistant tubes.