title: Life threatening complications after unsuccessful attempt of the guidewire dilating forceps tracheostomy in multi-trauma patient with cervical spine injury.
abstract: Percutaneous tracheostomy (PCT) is a safe method under proper patient selection, increased technical experience and bronchoscopy- or ultrasound-guided procedure. Trauma patients with cervical spine fractures and spinal cord injury are at a high risk for respiratory failure and require a definitive airway followed by prolonged mechanical ventilation. We would like to present multiple, life- threatening complications after unsuccessful attempt of the guidewire dilating forceps tracheostomy (GWDF) in one trauma patient with a cervical spine injury. With this case report we would like to lay emphasis on the importance of continuously bronchoscopy- or ultrasound-guided PTC in trauma patients, especially with cervical spine injury, as the need to respect the steep-learning curve in its performance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Unit, University Clinic of Traumatology, Zagreb, Croatia. dubravka.bartolek1@zg.t-com.hr
authors.forename: Dubravka
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bartolek
authors.forename: Nenad
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Somun
authors.forename: Franjo
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bartolek
authors.forename: Kata
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zdravcević-Sakić
authors.forename: Zoran
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Lajtman
authors.forename: Tihomir
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Banić
authors.forename: Gordana
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cavrić
authors.forename: Vesna
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kovabić-Vicić
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001999:Bronchoscopy; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries; D004939:Esophageal Perforation / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008478:Mediastinal Emphysema / Q000209:etiology*; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000628:therapy; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000209:etiology*; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000628:therapy; D014132:Trachea / Q000293:injuries*; D014139:Tracheostomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation