title: Minicricothyrotomy for tracheobronchial toilet.
abstract: Thirty-six patients underwent percutaneous cannulation of the cricothyroid membrane, using a small endotracheal tube, for the purpose of repeated suction of secretions from the tracheobronchial tree. The duration of cannulation ranged from 4 to 62 days (average, 12 days). Twenty-eight patients were followed up for a maximum of 3.5 years (mean, 20 months). There were no immediate or delayed postoperative complications. Subglottic stenosis did not occur in any of the patients. Minicricothyrotomy is a relatively safe and simple and efficient technique for tracheobronchial toilet in patients with chronic lung disease and in the postoperative period.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, Zerifin, Israel.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ophir
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Konichezky
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003413:Cricoid Cartilage / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D007817:Laryngeal Cartilages / Q000601:surgery*; D007829:Laryngostenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011859:Radiography; D013183:Sputum; D013396:Suction