title: Clinical experience with minitracheotomy.
abstract: In minitracheotomy, a relatively simple percutaneous technique for tracheal cannulation, a small-bore tube is inserted via the cricothyroid membrane to provide access to suction removal of excess secretion or aspirated material from the tracheobronchial tree. It allows efficient tracheobronchial toilet while preserving glottic function and avoiding the disadvantages of conventional tracheostomy and endotracheal intubation. The indications for minitracheotomy in 20 cases were excessive postoperative or postpneumonic secretion (14), difficulty with endotracheal suction (5) and acute airway obstruction (1). The only major complication was bleeding in one case. Minor bleeding occurred at the incision in two cases. The cannula was retained for 3-8 days and removal was followed by closure within 48 hours. There were no adverse laryngeal effects. Minitracheotomy was well tolerated by the patients and is a useful adjunct for removal of airway secretion and hospitalized patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Atatürk Chest Diseases and Thoracic Surgery Centre, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Balkan
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ozdülger
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Tastepe
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kaya
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cetin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000601:surgery; D003413:Cricoid Cartilage / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000628:therapy; D005931:Glottis / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000150:complications; D019106:Postoperative Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D013183:Sputum; D013396:Suction / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D013957:Thyroid Cartilage / Q000601:surgery; D014140:Tracheotomy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome