Tracheal granulation tissue after percutaneous tracheostomy treated with Nd:Yag laser: three cases

Three adult patients who received percutaneous serial dilatational tracheostomy post-cardiac surgery developed histologically confirmed tracheal granulation tissue superior to the point of entry of the tracheostomy tube into the trachea. This tissue significantly occluded the trachea in all patients and, in two, led to serious haemorrhage. Each patient had serial dilatational percutaneous tracheostomy using the Cook/Ciaglia technique. On each patient fibre-optic bronchoscopy confirmed satisfactory position of the guidewire and tracheostomy tube. Nd:Yag laser therapy was applied to areas of tracheal granulation tissue and was also employed to secure haemostasis. In each patient endobronchial Nd:YAG laser therapy successfully cleared the granulation tissue and secured haemostasis. Follow-up bronchoscopy showed no recurrence. Fibre-optic bronchoscopy at the time of tracheal decannulation may identify granulation tissue requiring appropriate referral and intervention.