title: Single cannula versus double cannula tracheostomy tubes in major oral and oropharyngeal resections.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the outcomes of two types of tracheostomy tubes used in major head and neck surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective study was conducted of prospectively collected data. The post-operative safety and adequacy of a single cannula tracheostomy tube was compared to a double cannula tracheostomy tube in patients undergoing tracheostomy during major oral and oropharyngeal resections.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of 46 patients with the single cannula tube, 7 (15 per cent) experienced significant obstruction warranting immediate tube removal, while another 9 (20 per cent) needed a change of tube or tube re-insertion for continued airway protection. In contrast, out of 50 patients with the double cannula tube, the corresponding numbers were 0 (p = 0.004) and 1 (2 per cent; p = 0.007) respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Insertion of a double cannula (instead of a single cannula) tracheostomy tube in the course of major oral and oropharyngeal resections offers better airway protection during the post-operative period.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery,Kovai Medical Center and Hospital,Coimbatore,India.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dhiwakar
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery,Kovai Medical Center and Hospital,Coimbatore,India.
authors.forename: G I
authors.initials: GI
authors.lastname: Nambi
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery,Kovai Medical Center and Hospital,Coimbatore,India.
authors.forename: T V
authors.initials: TV
authors.lastname: Ramanikanth
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery,Kovai Medical Center and Hospital,Coimbatore,India.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Kale
authors.affiliation: Department of Intensive Care,Kovai Medical Center and Hospital,Coimbatore,India.
authors.forename: M N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Sivakumar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000209:etiology; D057785:Catheters; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009055:Mouth / Q000601:surgery*; D010614:Pharynx / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014139:Tracheostomy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Complications; Neck; Oral Cancer; Suction; Surgery; Tracheostomy