title: [Complications of tracheotomy].
abstract: The complications of tracheotomy are reviewed and divided into two categories: early and late complications depending on whether the cannula has been removed or remains in situ. In the acute period, severe haemorrhages (0.3 to 2%) and oesophagotracheal fistulae (0.5 to 2%) result from a conflict between cannula and trachea during prolonged intensive care. Cardiac arrhythmia is frequent during aspiration (35%) but rarely lethal. Various technical problems related to the tracheotomy material are common (4 to 6%) and often very serious. Air leakage is represented mainly by severe pneumothorax (1 to 5%) under artificial ventilation. Tracheotomy wound infections (0.5 to 3.5%) may facilitate pulmonary superinfections (15 to 30%) which have a 5 to 8.5% mortality rate. In the acute phase, the overall mortality rate due to the tracheotomy itself is 1.7% (40 deaths in the 2,692 tracheotomies reviewed). The main post-decannulation complication is tracheal stenosis. The incidence of severe stenosis (more than two-thirds of the tracheal diameter) varies from 8 to 12%. Stenosis is difficult to diagnose unless endoscopic examination is routinely performed. The classical treatment is surgical, but laser is helpful in this as in granulomas. In patients with in-dwelling cannula, granulomas may be responsible for pain, obstruction and bleeding which can be avoided by using an adequate equipment. Chronic invasion of the bronchi by Gram-negative organisms is almost constant and results in episodes of superinfection. Finally, patients with a permanent cannula often have psychological and social problems influencing their quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Service de Pneumologie, CMC de Bligny, Briis-sous-Forges.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Viau
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lededente
authors.forename: J Y
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Le Tinier
mesh_terms: D002404:Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology; D014133:Tracheal Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D014135:Tracheal Stenosis / Q000209:etiology; D014140:Tracheotomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation
vernacular_title: Complications de la trachéotomie.