Retrosternal Percutaneous Tracheostomy: An Approach for Predictably Impossible Classic Tracheostomy

Percutaneous tracheostomy is a routine procedure in intensive care units. In cases of very low position of the larynx, cervical spine deformation, morbid obesity, or neck tumor, performance of the classic tracheostomy is inapplicable. Retrosternal approach to tracheostomy in such 20 patients is here...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Philippe Biderman, Avi A. Weinbroum, Yael Rafaeli, Eyal Raz, Eyal Porat, Ory Wiesel, Oded Szold
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2010-01-01
Series:Critical Care Research and Practice
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2010/397270
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Percutaneous tracheostomy is a routine procedure in intensive care units. In cases of very low position of the larynx, cervical spine deformation, morbid obesity, or neck tumor, performance of the classic tracheostomy is inapplicable. Retrosternal approach to tracheostomy in such 20 patients is herein reported. After preoperative neck computerized tomography to define the neck anatomy, a small suprasternal incision followed by a short retrosternal tissue dissection to expose the trachea was done; the trachea was then catheterized at the level of the 2nd ring in the usual tracheostomy manner. The immediate and late (≥6 months) outcomes were similar to that of the standard tracheostomy. Thus, percutaneous retrosternal tracheostomy is safe in patients with abnormal positioning of the trachea or neck constitution. It is a bedside applicable technique, that, however, requires caution to avoid hazardous vascular complications.
ISSN:2090-1305
2090-1313