title: Dilatation of the trachea treated with the NL-tracheostomy tube.
abstract: The NL-tracheostomy tube has a large diameter, large residual volume cuff with automatic and instant cuff pressure regulation. It has been shown in clinical studies to prevent mucosal damage; and depending on airway pressure, it should in theory prevent or delay the onset of trachea dilatation. The authors report 2 patients who developed severe tracheal dilatation with use of standard low volume cuffs during prolonged mechanical ventilation. Placement of the NL-tracheostomy tube with a special long intratracheal leg and cuff positioned below the dilatation abolished the acute problems of air leakage. Tracheal dilatation at the new cuff site did not develop in 1 patient and was slowed in onset in the 2nd patient, who needed high inflation pressures.
mesh_terms: D004108:Dilatation, Pathologic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014133:Tracheal Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014140:Tracheotomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*