BACKGROUND Bedside percutaneous dilational tracheostomy, a relatively new method of tracheal cannulation, provides safe and ready access to the trachea to relieve airway obstruction and tracheopulmonary secretions. The dilational technique has undergone various modifications during the past decade. Complications of this procedure are primarily related to the lack of direct visualization during ...

Introduction Tracheostomy is a generally accepted procedure that assures free access to the airways in long-term lung ventilation. Apart from surgical tracheostomy, percutaneous dilational tracheostomy (PDT) has been increasingly employed in intensive care units (ICU). There is no optimal tracheostomy (TS) technique and in comparisons of percutaneous techniques, no single technique has proved t...

BACKGROUND Upper respiratory tract obstruction resulting from bilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve damage is commonly managed with permanent tracheostomy in our environment. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the social impacts of permanent tracheostomy and its management in Ondo State, Southwest Nigeria. MATERIALS AND METHODS Four patients were managed with permanent tracheostomy due to bilateral laryng...

BACKGROUND Accidental decannulation is a cause of substantial morbidity and mortality in patients in long-term acute care hospitals who require a tracheostomy tube. OBJECTIVE To analyze features of accidental decannulation (AD) following placement of a tracheostomy tube, and to implement strategies to reduce the problem. METHODS An analysis of data collected prospectively for quality manage...

Tracheostomy is one of the most frequent procedures carried out in critically ill patients with major advantages compared to translaryngeal endotracheal intubation such as reduced laryngeal anatomical alterations, reduced inspiratory load, better patient's tolerance and nursing. Thus, tracheostomy can enhance patient's care in patients who need prolonged mechanical ventilation and/or control of...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Tracheostomy is frequently performed in patients with severe ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, or subarachnoid hemorrhage. Little is known about readmission rates among stroke patients who undergo mechanical ventilation. METHODS We used previously validated International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Edition-Clinical Modification codes and data on all disch...

BACKGROUND Congenital central hypoventilation syndrome (CCHS) is a rare disorder affecting central control of breathing. Thus, patients require lifelong assisted ventilation. Diaphragm pacing (DP) may permit decannulation in those who are ventilator dependent only during sleep. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study is to determine if patients with CCHS can be successfully ventilated by DP witho...

PURPOSE OF REVIEW Tracheostomy is one of the most common procedures performed in the intensive care unit. Indications, risks, benefits, timing and technique of the procedure, however, remain controversial. The decision of when and how to perform a tracheostomy is often subjective, but must be individualized to the patient. The following review gives an update on recent literature related to tra...

Introduction: Tracheal stenosis is a rare, but serious complication that often occurs following tracheal intubation or tracheostomy. This study aimed to evaluate the causes, symptoms, and complications of therapeutic methods in patients with treated Analysis. Material methods: In this descriptive retrospective study, who had undergone were evaluated for its cause, cause endotracheal intubation,...

BACKGROUND Tracheostomy is recommended in case of prolonged mechanical ventilation. Therefore, most patients with an indication for venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) will also have an indication for tracheostomy. CASE PRESENTATION We report 2 cases of fatal air embolism into the ECMO system as complication of percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy. Both patients had an AVA...