Life- Threatening occlusion of the Airway: A role for endoscopic guided decannulation following percutaneous tracheostomy

Abstract

Percutaneous Tracheostomy (PT) is a cost-effective, minimally invasive and relatively procedure for bedside tracheostomy tube pIacement. However, it may result in complications, which can cause airway probIems following decannuIation, which at present is Iargely done blindIy. We report a rather infrequent occurrence of early onset of total obstruction of the suprastomal trachea following P T, which resuIted in alife threatening occ1usion of the airway after removal of the tracheostomy tube. We review the relevant literature and make a case for endoscopic guided decannulation to be done routinely.