Tracheostomy - a life saving procedure

ABSTRACT

We analyzed 50 patients requiring tracheostomy over a two year period. Stridor and respiratory distress were the most common presentation in these patients. The indications of tracheostomy were varied and consisted of carcinoma of larynx in 16 patients, laryngo-tracheobronchitis and diphtheria in 8 patients each, tetanus in 6 patients, epiglottises and respiratory papillomatosis in 4 patients each. Three patients had neck trauma and one patient had bilateral vocal cord paralysis. Complications of the procedure included dislodgement of the tube, crusting, wound infection, surgical emphysema and minor haemorrhage. Serious complications like cardiac arrest and pneumothorax were seen in one patient each. Tracheostomy is a common procedure and saves many lives