Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 19, 2026

A Novel Rescue Technique for Difficult Intubation and Difficult Ventilation
Published on: January 17, 2011
Utilizing a Suction Catheter as a Makeshift Tracheostomy Tube in a Premature Infant: A Case Report
Ashwini V Bandi1, Shaina W Gong2, Gabriela G Cruz1
1McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA, uth.edu.
None:
One of the most challenging aspects regarding pediatric tracheostomy tube placement is the size selection, particularly in preterm infants. We present the first reported case of a makeshift tracheostomy tube using a 6-French suction catheter in a 31-week-old premature infant in an emergent situation. This approach holds promise as a potentially life-saving intervention for extremely small preterm infants. Furthermore, this case emphasizes the size discrepancy between the premature neonatal airway and the smallest tracheostomy tubes available. Further research is warranted to allow for more diverse clinical solutions that can accommodate similar cases in acute settings.
Related Concept Videos
Tracheostomy Suctioning II: Procedure
Tracheostomy Suctioning I: Pre-Procedural Steps
Equipment Required
First, gather all necessary equipment: a sterile suction catheter, a sterile disposable container, sterile gloves, a towel or...
Tracheostomy: Procedure and Tubes
Tracheostomy tubes can be made of semiflexible plastic (polyurethane or silicone), rigid plastic, or metal, and they come in...
Tracheostomy Care I: Pre-procedural Steps
Required Equipment
The equipment necessary for tracheostomy care includes:
Suctioning the Oropharyngeal Airway
After assembling the equipment, the nurse should practice hand hygiene and don appropriate PPE according to infection control guidelines to avoid the...
Suctioning the Nasopharyngeal Airway
Equipment Required

