[Fantoni translaryngeal tracheotomy (TLT) with rigid endoscopic control].
BACKGROUND
The incidence of translaryngeal tracheotomy (TLT)-associated peri- and postoperative complications should be assessed prospectively.


METHODS
TLT was carried out in operation-theatre under rigid endoscopic control. Peri- and postoperative complications, decanulement and late sequelae were assessed in ENT-patients. In patients of other wards only perioperative complications were evaluated.


RESULTS
41 patients (26 ENT-patients, 15 patients of other wards) were tracheotomised by TLT. Perioperatively, we observed 3 technical problems (accidental pulling through of the tracheostomy tube). In 2 of these cases TLT could be completed without problems, in 1 case TLT was converted to surgical tracheotomy. Postoperatively, we could find no complications in 26 ENT-patients. Decanulation took place after 7 days on average. We found no tracheocutaneous fistulas or tracheostenoses, scars were unobtrusive.


CONCLUSIONS
TLT with rigid endoscopy is a simple percutaneous tracheotomy-technique with a low complication rate.
Oeken
J
J
Klinik für HNO-Heilkunde/Plastische Operationen, Universitätsklinikums, Liebigstr. 18a, D-04103 Leipzig.
Adam
H
H
Bootz
F
F
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D020704:Laryngoscopes; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010039:Otorhinolaryngologic Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012086:Reoperation; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013525:Surgical Instruments; D014140:Tracheotomy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology