Iatrogenic tracheal rent in a Clydesdale colt

A one-month-old Clydesdale colt presented for bilateral scrotal hernia and a patent urachus. Manual reduction of the hernia followed by castration and primary closure of the superficial inguinal rings bilaterally was performed. The umbilical stump was resected along with the apex of the bladder, and the abdomen was closed routinely. During the procedure, the anaesthetist noted difficulty maintaining an appropriate anaesthetic plane. Diagnostics while under general anaesthesia including arterial blood gas evaluation revealed a blood pH of 7.190 and 7.220. In addition, a large mass was noted in the ventral cervical region that was not present prior to surgery. The mass dramatically reduced in size as the endotracheal cuff was deflated. Postoperatively a tracheal rent was identified, and a temporary tracheostomy was performed under endoscopic guidance. The colt was maintained on systemic antimicrobials, NSAIDs and gastric ulcer prophylaxis and was discharged without complication four weeks later.