Percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy.
This paper describes a method of tracheostomy using a percutaneous dilatational technique. The authors report their experience of 50 elective cases and discuss the technique as an alternative to formal surgical tracheostomy. They suggest that the lower complication rate associated with the percutaneous dilatational method makes feasible its extended use in elective head and neck surgery.
Gaukroger
M C
MC
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, King's College Hospital School of Medicine and Dentistry, London.
Allt-Graham
J
J
D004106:Dilatation / Q000295:instrumentation; D006801:Humans; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology; D014139:Tracheostomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*