title: Rare anatomical variation of the brachiocephalic trunk encountered in tracheostomy.
abstract: Tracheostomy is a common procedure in head and neck surgery and emergency medicine to secure a patent airway. Surgeons should always be aware of anatomical variants of the branches of the aortic arch, which could lead to life-threatening complications. Open tracheostomy is the safest emergency procedure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Plastic Surgery, Leipzig University, Liebigstrasse 12, 04103 Leipzig, Germany. Electronic address: heike.huempfner-hierl@medizin.uni-leipzig.de.
authors.forename: Heike
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Huempfner-Hierl
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Plastic Surgery, Leipzig University, Liebigstrasse 12, 04103 Leipzig, Germany. Electronic address: thomas.hierl@medizin.uni-leipzig.de.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hierl
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Plastic Surgery, Leipzig University, Liebigstrasse 12, 04103 Leipzig, Germany. Electronic address: dirk.halama@medizin.uni-leipzig.de.
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Halama
mesh_terms: D063405:Anatomic Variation; D016122:Brachiocephalic Trunk / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D014132:Trachea; D014139:Tracheostomy
keywords: Anatomical variations; Tracheostomy