Hostname: page-component-8448b6f56d-wq2xx Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-24T12:30:11.367Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Haemorrhage during minitracheotomy: reduction of risk by altered incision

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2007

R. M. Terry*
Affiliation:
Senior Registrar in Otolaryngology; Leeds General Infirmary, Great George Street, Leeds
P. Cook
Affiliation:
Senior Registrar in AnaestheticsLeeds General Infirmary, Great George Street, Leeds
*
R. M. Terry, F.R.C.S., Senior Registrar in Otolaryngology, Leeds General Infirmary, Great George Street, Leeds

Abstract

A 46-year-old male was admitted to an intensive care unit: for 11 days he was ventilated via a naso-tracheal tube. Because of excess tracheal secretions, a mini tracheotomy was attempted on the unit which resulted in profuse arterial haemorrhage, necessitating immediate reintubation and subsequent formal tracheostomy. The authors feel that this complication was due to a mid-line vertical incision and that this could have been avoided by a horizontal incision across the lower part of the cricothyroid membrane, as close to the cricoid cartilage as possible. They describe their recommended technique.

Type
Clinical Records
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 1989

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Brantigan, M. D. and Grow, J. B. (1976) Cricothyroidotomy: Elective use in respiratory problems requiring tracheotomy. Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, 71: 7281.Google Scholar
Matthews, H. R. and Hopkinson, R. B. (1984) Treatment of sputum retention by minitracheotomy. British Journal of Surgery, 71: 147150.Google Scholar
Lewis, G. A., Hopkinson, R. B. and Matthews, H. R. (1986) Minitracheotomy. A report of its use in intensive therapy. Anaesthesia, 41: 931935.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Warwick, R. and Williams, P. (eds.) (1973) Gray's Anatomy. 35th Edition, Longman Gp. Ltd., Edinburgh.Google Scholar