[Transtracheal aspiration in pulmonary infections].
Transtracheal aspiration (TTA) was performed 35 times in 33 patients with acute pulmonary infections. The indications for the procedure included pulmonary infection in immune-depressed or debilitated patients in whom the pathogenic organism could not be identified, either because of lack of sputum or suspected over-colonization of the oral cavity. The procedure was performed under full sedation with diazepam (Valium), by introducing a catheter (Intracath) through the cricothyroid membrane into the trachea, without local anesthesia. This modification markedly reduces the cough reflex and complications like subcutaneous emphysema and bleeding. Only two of our cases developed subcutaneous emphysema. The procedure enables the physician to make accurate and rapid therapeutic decisions and is recommended as a diagnostic tool.
D003975:Diazepam / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000379:methods*; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013183:Sputum / Q000032:analysis; D013396:Suction / Q000379:methods
D003975:Diazepam