Management of difficult airway problems with percutaneous transtracheal ventilation

Percutaneous transtracheal jet ventilation was used in the management of 13 cases of upper airway obstruction. Cases are subdivided according to the nature of the presenting airway problem. The first group had stable upper airway abnormalities; the second group presented as emergencies with rapidly evolving upper airway obstruction. This technique has two major advantages: 1) it provides rapid access to the airway during acute emergencies; and 2) it provides control of the airway where tissue distortion from head and neck trauma or tumor surgery makes standard anesthetic techniques difficult. Complications including catheter displacement, total expiratory obstruction, pneumothorax, and subcutaneous emphysema have been encountered. The authors conclude that percutaneous transtracheal jet ventilation is effective. However, potential problems exist and an in-depth understanding of the technique is necessary for its appropriate application and successful use.