title: Dilation balloon rupture during percutaneous dilational tracheostomy: using Blue Dolphin kit.
abstract: A 72-year-old man presented to the high dependency unit following an elective incisional hernia repair. He was extubated in the immediate postoperative period. Following established type 2 respiratory failure (secondary to hospital-acquired pneumonia), he required tracheal intubation and was ventilated in the intensive care unit (ICU). He failed extubation and subsequently had a percutaneous single-stage dilational tracheostomy fitted as indicated. During the tracheostomy, while inflating the dilation balloon (used to dilate the trachea), the balloon burst in the trachea, at a pressure of 3 atmospheres. Following this, the entire dilating unit and tracheostomy tube were removed; no debris was left inside the trachea as confirmed by bronchoscope (used throughout the procedure). He made good recovery and was discharged to a surgical ward. This case report summarises the indications for tracheostomy, and reports the rare event of balloon rupture and how to manage it within the ICU setting.
authors: Critical Care, Harlow, UK.
authors: Adenike Grace
authors: AG
authors: Odeleye
authors: Critical Care, Harlow, UK.
authors: Adam G
authors: AG
authors: Tiley
authors: Critical Care, Harlow, UK.
authors: Rajamani
authors: R
authors: Sethuraman
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods*; D004106:Dilatation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D004868:Equipment Failure; D059685:Herniorrhaphy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000628:therapy*; D014132:Trachea; D014139:Tracheostomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D016896:Treatment Outcome