Complications to tracheostomy and long-term intubation: a follow-up study

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Pulmonology
• Critical Care Medicine

Background:

• Tracheostomy and long-term intubation are common procedures for airway management.
• Potential complications associated with these interventions require thorough investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review early and late complications in patients treated with tracheostomy or long-term intubation.
• To assess the incidence and nature of complications in surviving patients.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of hospital records for 79 patients (1969-1971).
• Laryngoscopy, X-ray, and spirometry performed on 43 surviving patients.
• Necropsy findings analyzed for patients who died.

Main Results:

• Early complications included tube occlusion, stridor, pneumothorax, and fatal hemorrhage (tracheostomy group).
• Atelectasis occurred in the intubation group.
• Necropsy revealed laryngeal ulcers and tracheal mucosal erosion.
• Late complications included hoarseness (intubation group) and significant tracheal stenosis (tracheostomy group).

Conclusions:

• Both tracheostomy and long-term intubation carry risks of early and late complications.
• Tracheal stenosis is a significant late complication primarily observed in tracheostomy patients.
• Further research is needed to optimize airway management strategies and minimize long-term sequelae.