[Translaryngeal tracheostomy using the Fantoni technique: report of 104 cases].
OBJECTIVE
Surgical tracheostomy morbidity led the authors to investigate new election techniques. The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the translaryngeal tracheostomy (TLT), complications and cost.


METHODS
From January 1998 to January 2001, 104 patients were treated with TLT modified: 69 males (66.3%) and 35 females (33.7%), average age 52.6 +/- 9.5 years. The original pathologies were: traumatical (36), neurological (37), surgical (9), heart (4), respiratory (18). The average time between intubation and execution of TLT was 4.2 +/- 1.3 days.


RESULTS
Fifty four patients died (52%) and 50 patients lived (48%). Two complications (1.9%) occurred in those who survived: a breaking of the guidewire in traction. Extraction of the tracheostomy tube by clamp, a haemorrhage in 2nd post-operative day due to a thyroid vessel lesion. The haemostasis was performed by classical tracheostomy. The average number of days to decannulation was 25 +/- 1 days.


CONCLUSIONS
TLT reduces trauma or trachea and neighbouring structures. This technique is safe and easy. TLT is an effective method, in non-urgent situations, in children and adults, as well as in brachytypes and the obese.
Divisi
D
D
Service de chirurgie thoracique et d'endoscopie thoracique, université de l'Aquila, hôpital G. Mazzini Teramo, Italie. dudivisi@tin.it
Altamura
G
G
Battaglia
C
C
Di Francescantonio
W
W
Rosa
E
E
Torresini
G
G
De Sanctis
C
C
Crisci
R
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D007830:Larynx / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014132:Trachea / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D014139:Tracheostomy / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome