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Post-operative sputum retention treated by minitracheostomy--a ward procedure?
N J Buckels1, Z H Khan, S T Irwin
1Department of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast.
The British Journal of Clinical Practice
|May 1, 1990
Summary
Percutaneous cricothyroidotomy, a minitracheotomy technique, effectively relieved respiratory distress in most patients. While complications occurred, no deaths were linked to the procedure, highlighting its potential utility.
Area of Science:
- Medical procedures
- Respiratory medicine
- Surgical techniques
Background:
- Surgical airway access is critical for managing respiratory distress.
- Percutaneous techniques offer potential advantages over traditional surgical methods.
- Minitracheotomy provides a less invasive option for airway management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the safety and efficacy of percutaneous cricothyroidotomy (minitracheotomy) in a clinical setting.
- To assess the indications and outcomes of this airway management technique.
- To report complications associated with the minitracheotomy procedure.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective review of 67 patients undergoing percutaneous cricothyroidotomy.
- Indications included sputum retention, empyema rupture, and prophylactic airway access.
- Complications and patient outcomes were documented.
Main Results:
- Successful cricothyroidotomy led to significant improvement in respiratory distress.
- Complications included difficult insertion (2 patients), failed insertion (1 patient), bleeding (1 patient), and device inhalation (2 patients).
- No procedure-related deaths occurred in the series.
Conclusions:
- Percutaneous cricothyroidotomy is a viable technique for airway management with a low mortality rate.
- Careful patient selection and procedural technique are important to minimize complications.
- The minitracheotomy approach offers a rapid and effective solution for respiratory distress in selected patients.