Intraluminal oesophageal pressures were measured in dogs after tracheostomy and intubation with either uncuffed or cuffed tracheostomy tubes. Possible explanations for disordered swallowing following tracheostomy were found in those animals intubated with cuffed tracheostomy tubes: (a) Increased intraluminal pressures were measured in the oesophagus at the level of the cuffs. (b) Significantly ...

BACKGROUND Patients who sustain cervical spinal cord injury (C-SCI) with neurologic deficit may require a definitive airway and/or prolonged mechanical ventilation. The purpose of this study was to characterize factors associated with a high risk for respiratory failure and/or the need for mechanical ventilation in C-SCI patients. METHODS Patients with C-SCI and neurologic deficit admitted to...

BACKGROUND Percutaneous tracheostomy is a common procedure in the intensive care unit and, on patient transfer to the wards, there is a gap in ongoing tracheostomy management. There is some evidence that tracheostomy teams can shorten weaning to decannulation times. In response to lengthy weaning to decannulation times at Trillium Health Partners - Credit Valley Hospital site (Mississauga, Onta...

BACKGROUND Tracheostomy was first observed in Egyptian drawings in 3600 BC and performed frequently during the 1800's diphtheria epidemic. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to elucidate the indications, complications, mortality rate, and the effect of pediatric tracheostomy on length of PICU or hospital stay. MATERIALS AND METHODS Demographic characteristics, diagnosis at admission, dura...

The value of tracheostomy was assessed for each patient in relation to the subsequent progress of the underlying disease, to complications of the tracheostomy, and to mortality. Three grades of value were distinguished: (1) the patient would have died had tracheostomy not been performed-211 (54%); (2) the tracheostomy was of definite value to the patient and contributed materially to recovery, ...

Acquired tracheo-oesophageal fistula (TEF) after tracheostomy is a life threatening complication and can occur in about 1% of cases of tracheostomy. Percutaneous tracheostomy was performed in intensive care unit on a 40 years male patient for long-term mechanical ventilation. Subsequently patient developed TEF as the complication of tracheostomy. He was initially managed with endoscopically ins...

cervical injury, blunt and penetrating trauma, hardly lead to morbidity and mortality in children population but it is clinically important. although blunt trauma is less prevalence in children than penetrating trauma, it is life threatening due to laryngotracheal rupture. bicycle accidents are common reason of blunt trauma. blunt laryngotracheal injury is rare in children because mandibular bo...

The impact that a new specialist tracheostomy service, designed specifically for the care of patients with tracheostomies, was assessed in terms of type of tracheostomy tube used, time to first tube change, time to decannulation, and incidence of tracheostomy related complications in a teaching hospital with no on-site ear, nose, and throat facility. A total of 170 patients were studied. After ...

BACKGROUND The complication rates for tracheostomy patients could be serious and life threatening. As a result, length of stay (LOS) increases and patient outcomes can be negatively impacted. Examples of complications include accidental decannulation, bleeding and total occlusion. Studies suggest there is an inconsistency in tracheostomy care among providers and institutions. Other studies sugg...

Airway fires are an uncommon but real and devastating complication of tracheostomy. One such fire in a 31-year-old man is described. Surgical fires are discussed, and 15 reported cases of tracheostomy fire are reviewed. A tracheostomy protocol, adopted by our department and designed to avoid this life-threatening complication, is described. Surgeons and anaesthetists involved in tracheostomy mu...