Tracheal Necrosis – A Complication of Percutaneous Tracheostomy to Remember

Tracheostomy is a commonly performed intervention with several benefits in the treatment of patients with chronic respiratory failure. Refinement of the tracheotomy technique, using percutaneous approaches have allowed bedside tracheostomy placement in the modern intensive care unit. Both percutaneous and surgical tracheostomies are associated with several early and late complications [1,2]. These complications are generally well documented in the literature. Our case reports an unusual scenario of iatrogenic tracheal necrosis from percutaneous tracheostomy (PCT) leading to a critical airway. In this article, we share our experience in the management of this condition and review of recent literature.