[Tracheotomy complications in resuscitation patients]

Many statistics on what concerned the tracheotomy complications are old, dating from 1960-1970, and discouraging to practise this kind of gesture. Moreover, it is unfeasible to objectively evaluate this technique from these huge sets where it is often difficult to separate the dramatic complications (massive haemorrhage, suffocating pneumothorax,...) and those more benign. The authors analyze through a retrospective study of 32 tracheotomised patients, the index of these complications in distinguishing those of the early stage and the late stage can occur even after decannulation. In the acute phase, haemorrhages 9.3 p 100) per inadequate haematosis, the pneumothorax (3.1 p 100) and the infection of the stoma (12.5 p 100) are the most frequent. The opening tracheotomy infection can support pulmonary infections (28.1 p 100) which cause serious problems at tracheotomised. After decannulation, the principal complication is the tracheobronchial stenosis (3.1 p 100). Its diagnosis is difficult and should be done by systematic endoscopic control of the trachea and radiological explorations at the time of the decannulation. The authors insist on the use of proper equipments, protocols of rigorous care and strict post-operative monitoring.