Journal Reviews

Percutaneous tracheostomy in anticoagulated patients

27 February 2020 | | Laryngology / Swallowing / Voice, Head and Neck | Dilatation percutaneous tracheotomy, anticoagulant therapy, bleeding complications, intensive care unit

This Belgian study looked at the risks and complications of bedside percutaneous tracheostomy in patients who received anticoagulant therapy. The 231 tracheostomies included in the study were performed over an eight-year period by two otolaryngologists using bronchoscopic guidance. The mean...

Risks of tracheostomy in head and neck cancer

7 January 2020 | | Head and Neck, Maxillofacial Surgery | Maxillofacial surgery, Microvascular flaps, Reconstructive surgery, Temporary tracheotomy

Tracheostomy is associated with several complications, with rates quoted as high as 8-45%, including: bleeding; displacement; obstruction; surgical emphysema; pneumothorax; fistulae and failure to decannulate. There are now many studies that confirm the increased length of stay and complications of...

Airway intervention for epiglottitis

1 May 2017 | | Epiglottitis, tracheotomy, intubation, indication

This Japanese study was a retrospective review of 83 patients admitted with epiglottitis over a 9.5-year period. The authors found that the factors that were significantly more likely to be present in patients who received airway intervention were: odynophagia; drooling;...