title: Tracheal dilatation.
abstract: Three cases of tracheal dilatation following prolonged ventilation through a tracheostomy tube with a conventional cuff are reported. The routine care of tracheostomies in the ITU at Northampton General Hospital is described. Possible causes for the development of dilatation are suggested and the symptoms and signs discussed.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004108:Dilatation, Pathologic / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007384:Intermittent Positive-Pressure Breathing / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011175:Positive-Pressure Respiration / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011312:Pressure; D013997:Time Factors; D014133:Tracheal Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D014140:Tracheotomy / Q000009:adverse effects*