A case report of a ball-valve type obstruction of the endotracheal tube caused by dried secretions

In a 1-year-old boy with a history of bronchial asthma, airway obstruction due to dried secretion occurred during endotracheal anesthesia. A ball-valve type obstruction impaired controlled ventilation and resulted in severe hypercapnia, acidosis, hypertension and hyperkalemia. Diffusion respiration kept his Pa(O₂) so high until the obstructed tube was exchanged for a new one, that his condition was not aggravated despite severe hypercapnia.