Tracheostomy suspension: a modified approach for securing the airway

Surgical tracheostomy is frequently used to wean intensive care patients off mechanical ventilation, or electively in operations on the head and neck. Although a tracheostomy facilitates a safe airway, displacement or accidental decannulation of the tube can potentially be fatal. When it does occur, swift reintubation of the trachea is critical. This, however, can be extremely difficult in patients who have had post-radical ablative operations for cancer of the head and neck, or those with difficult anatomy (short neck or obesity).
Source: The British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery - Category: ENT & OMF Authors: Tags: Technical note Source Type: research