title: [Percutaneous dilatational tracheotomy or tracheostomy? Two case reports].
abstract: In terms of numbers, percutaneous dilatational tracheotomy (PDT) is the most important tracheotomy technique since it is applied in surgical and nonsurgical disciplines. Where correctly indicated, PDT is a fast, economical and easily reversible procedure. Incorrect indication sometimes necessitates conversion of a PDT into a conventional surgical tracheostomy. In these cases scarring, wound infections and ambiguous anatomical structures can represent a surgical challenge. Where a long-term tracheotomy requirement is predicted, a surgical tracheostomy should be performed.
authors.affiliation: Craniofacial Surgery, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, 369 Fulham Road, SW10 9NH, London, United Kingdom, FlorianBast@gmx.de.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bast
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Buchal
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Schrom
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004106:Dilatation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D018579:Patient Selection; D014139:Tracheostomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D014140:Tracheotomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome