Complications of Tracheostomy

Is open tracheotomy performed by residents in otorhinolaryngology a safe procedure? a retrospective cohort study

“…In literature, the delayed substitution of the cuffed tracheostomy tube correlates with late onset of tracheal stenosis, tracheoesophageal fistula or innominate artery erosion [26][27][28]. Our experience suggests that the persistent compressive action of the tracheostomy tube cuff on the tracheal wall also determines flogosis.…”

Early complications of tracheostomy: a study on 100 patients at a single tertiary care centre

“…This is in concurrence with other series in which bleeding from the surgical wound was the most common early complication observed. 12,13 Tracheostomy is a procedure with uncommon but serious postoperative complications which have an impact on the final outcome of the patient. 12 Complication rates varying between 6 and 66% have been reported in literature depending on the patient population, while the mortality associated with the procedure ranges from as low as 0-5% to up to 14%.…”

Percutaneous dilatational tracheotomy

“…The incidence, which depends on the physical condition of the patient, the mean duration of cannulation and the antibiotic regime, is below 2% [69,71]. The low infection rate is credited to minimal dissection that is necessary to install a tracheal cannula with a percutaneous technique and the surrounding tissue that is snugged around the cannula preventing the formation of haematoma with a subsequent risk of infection [143][144].…”

“…The vast majority of granuloma formation occurs at the stomal site, at the site of the windows of a fenestrated tracheal cannula, 22 or at its tip. It can result in suprastomal stenosis, hinder decannulation or make breathing and speaking impossible when a fenestrated cannula is occluded and the inner cannula removed [143]. High ventilatory pressure during ventilatory support may be caused by partial occlusion of the end of the cannula by granulation tissue or a submucosal fold caused by off-centre placement of the cannula [119,146].…”