title: Improved technique for inserting a T tube in patients with subglottic stenosis.
abstract: An improved method for inserting a silicone T tube through a tracheostomy stoma in patients with subglottic stenosis is presented. A silicone T tube is pulled into the trachea with a catheter that is inserted into the tracheostomy stoma, advanced through the stenotic subglottic space, and pulled out the mouth. A cone-shaped dilator is placed beforehand at the proximal end of the vertical limb of the T tube to facilitate the passage of that end through the stenotic subglottic space. This method was used in 4 patients with good results. We suggest this technique be tried when attempts to insert a T tube by the usual method fail, as it can be performed under local anesthesia without special instruments and is technically easy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kato
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kawamura
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kikuchi
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ishihara
mesh_terms: D002406:Catheterization, Peripheral / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007829:Laryngostenosis / Q000628:therapy*; D014139:Tracheostomy