Surgical correction of a percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy: A case report

Percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT) has become a routine procedure in intensive care, because of its multiple advantages over surgical tracheostomy (ST).

We present the case of a 72-year-old patient with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia, who received a PDT in the 6th tracheal ring with a lateral puncture of the trachea. This atypical placement of tracheostomy was due to a massive left-pronounced goiter, causing a tracheal shift to the right. To avoid dislocation of the tracheal cannula and prevent recurrent bleeding, surgical revision was decided. After left hemithyroidectomy, oral intubation was temporarily necessary, in order to remove the old tracheostomy. Then suturing of the left lateral tracheal defect and standard ST in the 2nd tracheal cartilage was performed. The patient was successfully weaned and decannulated and his swallowing function remained intact.

In our case left hemithyroidectomy was necessary, in order to enable an optimal surgical tracheostomy in the 2nd tracheal cartilage. Because mechanical ventilation was carried out proximal to the large tracheal defect after PCT, a secondary closing approach was not an option. The endotracheal cuff was placed above the defect, in order to prevent acute or chronic intraluminal pressure trauma. Postoperative x-ray and bronchoscopy insured the sufficient sealing of the tracheal suturing.

We describe an unusual placement of percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy through a thyroid goiter and our approach to perform a correction surgical tracheostomy.