Perforation of an infant's trachea after orotracheal intubation for general anaesthesia is a rarely described serious complication. This article reports an unusual case of laceration of the trachea in an 8-week-old infant with a history of prolonged neonatal intubation needed to treat hyaline membrane disease. After diagnosis the tracheal injury was managed conservatively. Factors involved in the occurrence of the injury and its management are discussed.