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Long-term complications of artificial airways
Richard D Sue1, Irawan Susanto
1Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, 37-131 CHS, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1690, USA.
Clinics in Chest Medicine
|October 11, 2003
Summary
Long-term artificial airways, including translaryngeal intubation and tracheotomy, rarely cause complications. Vigilant preventive measures and early diagnosis are crucial for managing potential serious patient morbidity and mortality.
Area of Science:
- Medical Sciences
- Surgical Complications
- Airway Management
Background:
- Artificial airways are essential for patient care but can lead to long-term complications.
- Complications from translaryngeal intubation and tracheotomy often overlap.
- While generally well-tolerated, these procedures carry risks of significant morbidity and mortality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize the potential long-term complications associated with artificial airways.
- To highlight the importance of recognizing and managing these rare but significant sequelae.
- To emphasize the need for preventive strategies and early diagnostic efforts.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on artificial airway complications.
- Analysis of common and overlapping complications of translaryngeal intubation and tracheotomy.
- Discussion of multifactorial pathogenesis of airway complications.
Main Results:
- Long-term complications of artificial airways are infrequent but clinically significant.
- Many complications are shared between translaryngeal intubation and tracheotomy.
- Attributing complications to a single cause can be challenging due to multiple risk factors.
Conclusions:
- Understanding potential complications is key to improving patient outcomes.
- Vigilance in preventive measures during artificial airway use is essential.
- Early and judicious investigation is recommended when complications are suspected.