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...

Tracheostomy has become one of the most commonly performed procedures in the critically ill patient. Variations in technique and expertise have led to a wide range of reported procedural related morbidity and rarely mortality. The lack of prospective, controlled trials, physician bias and patient comorbidities further confound the decisions regarding the timing of tracheostomy. With careful att...

Indication for pediatric tracheostomy has changed. Upper airway obstruction secondary to infectious disorders is no longer the commonest indication. The aim of this study was to establish data on indications, outcome and complications of pediatric tracheostomy. A retrospective analysis of pediatric tracheostomies carried out between March 2002 to March 2004 was done. Eighteen patients were iden...

Tracheostomy used to be reserved for the severely ill patient with acute respiratory obstruction. As the incidence of diphtheria declined the operation came to be performed only occasionally, particularly as the high mortality and complication rates associated with the use of tracheostomy in diphtheria were well remembered. But within the past 20 years a great change has occurred as the indicat...

BACKGROUND The purpose of this present study was to investigate risk factors for local recurrence and death after total laryngectomy, with particular emphasis on pattern of local recurrence (stomal vs pharyngeal/base of tongue) and impact of preceding tracheostomy. METHODS We conducted a retrospective review of 75 consecutive total laryngectomies for cancer of the larynx. RESULTS Nineteen p...