BACKGROUND Whether early tracheotomy can improve the clinical outcomes of critically ill patients remains controversial. The current study aimed to discuss the potential benefits of early tracheotomy compared to late tracheotomy with meta-analysis of observational studies. METHODS An electronic search (up to February 28, 2013) was conducted by a uniform requirement, and then clinical data sat...

Tracheotomy is one of the oldest surgical procedures, and it is a life-saving procedure to overcome upper airway obstructions. While congenital causes play an important role in pediatric tracheotomy indications, upper airway edema and obstruction due to anaphylaxis rarely require tracheotomy. Allergy can cause life-threatening acute edema by anaphylactic reactions in the respiratory tract. Henn...

BACKGROUND Few studies have reported the effects of early tracheotomy in acute severe asthmatic patients. We report two patients with acute severe asthma who were successfully treated with early tracheotomy. METHODS The two patients with acute severe asthma were retrospectively reviewed. They had been treated at the Department of Emergency and Critical Care, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong ...

BACKGROUND An unanticipated difficult airway is very uncommon in infants. The recommendations for managing the cannot ventilate-cannot intubate (CVCI) situation in infants and small children are based on difficult airway algorithms for adults. These algorithms usually recommend placement of a transtracheal cannula or performing a surgical tracheotomy as a last resort. In this study, we compared...

Patients presenting with advanced aerodigestive malignancy and respiratory compromise often undergo tracheotomy as initial airway management. Tumor debulking is a potential alternative. We present a case series with chart review to communicate our institutional experience with this technique. T3/4 glottic and supraglottic cancers treated between 2004 and 2014 underwent review, and 14 patients w...

Tracheotomy is a commonly performed surgical technique used for long-term mechanical ventilation, upper airway obstruction, need for pulmonary toilet, and as an adjunct to surgery where ventilation is anticipated. Urgent tracheotomy may be performed when difficulty is encountered during an elective tracheotomy, or when cricothyroidotomy is impossible or contraindicated due to distorted anatomy ...

OBJECTIVE To determine a pulmonary injury model in rats that is associated with moderate mortality after extubation. DESIGN AND SETTING An experimental study in an animal model of ventilator-induced lung injury in the animal research laboratory in Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital. SUBJECTS AND METHOD A total of 45 male Wistar-Kyoto rats weighing 250-300g received food and water ad l...

BACKGROUND Patients with upper aerodigestive tract tumors can have development of airway compromise both before and during chemoradiotherapy (CRT). Tracheotomy is the classic method for securing a safe airway, but tumor debulking may also be used. METHODS This was a retrospective review of locoregionally advanced tumors of the base of tongue, larynx, or hypopharynx undergoing CRT between 1995...

Chromosome 6 deletions are very rare (1,2), and deletion 6q syndrome is clinically characterized by mental and/or neuromotor retardation and microcephaly (3). Other alterations frequently observed are decreased biparietal diameter, hypertelorism, hypotelorism, absent eyebrows, prominent eyes with ptosis, receding chin, dysmorphic ears, large extremities, prominent nasal bridge, long philtrum, e...

BACKGROUND Tracheostomy is considered the airway management of choice for patients who need prolonged mechanical ventilation support. Percutaneous Dilatational Tracheotomy (PDT) is a technique that can be performed easily and rapidly at bedside and is particularly useful in the intensive care setting. The Griggs percutaneous tracheotomy is unique in its utilization of a guide wire dilator force...