title: Tracheostomy.
abstract: Tracheostomy is a common procedure used by a wide variety of surgeons. Complications after tracheostomy have been used as a rationale for prolonging a translaryngeal intubation. Understanding the pathogenesis of tracheostomy complications combined with meticulous surgical and perioperative management avoids the majority of complications. The remaining complications are readily managed and should not provide a rationale for denying intubated patients the benefits of tracheostomy.
authors.affiliation: Section of General Thoracic Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, USA.
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Wood
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal; D011182:Postoperative Care; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D014139:Tracheostomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods