Tracheostomy directly exposes the lower respiratory tract to the exogenous bacteria increasing the risk of colonization of lower respiratory tract. The present study was done in patients who underwent tracheostomy and the study compares bacterial flora of oropharnyx and lower respiratory tract during tracheostomy with that of the bacterial flora of the lower respiratory tract during the first t...

features that appear frequently in intubated patients who may require later tracheostomy. Ventilator-associated pneumonia, low GCS, and the need for reintubation are possible risk factors for tracheostomy. Optimal time for tracheostomy varies with age and underlying pathology that lead to the need for it. The majority of the patients can be discharged from PICU post-tracheostomy; however, the m...

Background: Percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT) is increasingly popular within intensive care units for patients who need prolonged ventilatory support. Significant complications are rare. Case presentation: Our patient suffered tracheal ring fracture and early tracheomalacia following this procedure. These complications are demonstrated in our accompanying video. Conclusion: Contrary ...

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS After concurrent chemoradiation for head and neck squamous cell cancer, patients with laryngeal incompetence may not recover function. We assessed variables predicting tracheostomy dependence as a measure of poor laryngeal function after chemoradiation. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective METHODS Analysis of 109 patients treated with chemoradiation for locoregionally advanced l...

For decades, the standard technique for tracheostomy was the open, surgical technique. However, during the past 20 years, the use of percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy has been increased and shown to be a feasible and safe procedure in critically ill patients. The purpose of this report is to review the percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy technique, describe the role of bronchoscopy as g...

Tracheostomy is a commonly performed intervention with several benefits in the treatment of patients with chronic respiratory failure. Percutaneous dilational tracheostomy techniques have allowed bedside tracheostomy placement in the modern intensive care unit. Percutaneous dilational tracheostomy can be safely performed by interventional pulmonologists, medical intensive care physicians, and s...

Objective. The purpose of this study was to review inpatients undergoing tracheostomies at a tertiary care pediatric hospital in a 24-month period and to identify the indications, comorbidities, hospital course, patient complexity, and predischarge planning for tracheostomy care. The goal was to analyze these factors to highlight potential areas for improvement. Study Design. Case series with c...