title: Facilitation of percutaneous dilational tracheostomy by use of a perforated endotracheal tube exchanger.
abstract: Endoscopic guidance during percutaneous dilational tracheostomy reduces the risk of paratracheal insertion of the tracheostomy tube but may impair ventilation and does not eliminate the possibility of premature endotracheal extubation. Use of a small-caliber, hollow endotracheal tube exchanger during stomal dilation in lieu of a fiberoptic bronchoscope allows for better ventilation and more secure airway control.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Medical Center, New Orleans, USA.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Deblieux
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wadell
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: McClarity
authors.forename: B P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: deBoisblanc
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D020680:Bronchoscopes; D001999:Bronchoscopy / Q000379:methods; D004106:Dilatation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology / Q000295:instrumentation; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D014139:Tracheostomy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods