[Injury to the larynx and trachea following artificial respiration]

A general interdisciplinary survey of trends within intensive care units is necessary in order to further reduce the risk of laryngo-tracheal injury requiring treatment after prolonged intubation. Endoscopic controls of the larynx and cervical trachea should be recommended as urgent during long intubations, to ensure that a secondary tracheotomy does not ultimately occur too late. Only a perfectly performed tracheotomy minimises complications (stenoses). Repeated laryngoscopy and endoscopy of the trachea with a fibreoptic system (a few days after extubation) is recommended after every prolonged intubation.