[Complications of tracheostomy in a patient with severe motor and intellectual disabilities]

A patient with severe motor and intellectual disabilities, who had been admitted for a short stay, suffered cardiopulmonary arrest and was maintained on a ventilator after resuscitation. One month and 3 years after tracheostomy, arterial bleeding from the trachea occurred three times. Each time, the patient was successfully salvaged by arterial compression by hyperinflation of the endotracheal tube cuff and rapid blood transfusion. Long-term intubation caused stenosis and formation of a mucosal bridge in the trachea. After stenting failed to relieve the stenosis, laser ablation of the mucosal bridge was temporarily successful. Interruption of the brachiocephalic artery and partial resection of the sternal bone and insertion of an adjustable canula was successfully performed thereafter. This case suggests the necessity for both prophylaxis and adequate treatment of the various complications of tracheostomy.