The diagnostic challenge of a tracheal tear with a double-lumen endobronchial tube: massive air leak developing from the mouth during mechanical ventilation.

The case of a 78 year-old woman who underwent a right lower lobectomy using a 35-French, left-sided, double-lumen endobronchial tube (DLET) is presented. Multiple adjustments were needed for the DLET's proper placement. At the end of surgery, sudden loss of tidal volume with a large air leak from the patient's mouth was noted.