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Table 1 Definitions of tracheostomy complications

From: A comparative study of the complications of surgical tracheostomy in morbidly obese critically ill patients

Minor complications

Definition

Cuff leak

Failure of tracheal cuff to remain inflated at recommended pressure

Minor bleeding

Requiring dressing change, direct pressure, or suture placement

Minor barotrauma

Subcutaneous emphysema

Minor stoma infection

Localized infection treated with topical or systemic antibiotics

Serious complications

 

Tube obstruction

Related to clot, mucus, tracheal wall leading respiratory arrest or to severe hypoxemia requiring reintubation

Severe stoma infection

Systemic infection requiring treatment for sepsis or surgical debridements

Major bleeding

Hemoglobin decrease of greater than or equal to 2 g/dl, transfusion of greater than or equal to 2 units of packed red cells, or re-exploration to control bleeding

Major barotrauma

Mediastinal emphysema or pneumothorax

Posterior tracheal wall injury

Injury to membranous trachea from scalpel, or tracheostomy tube

Extratracheal placement

False passage or paratracheal placement of tracheostomy tube

Injury to nerve, artery, or vein

Complications identified and requiring open intervention

Esophageal injury/fistula

Identified and repaired intraoperatively

Tracheal stenosis

Revision and reconstruction

Thyroid injury

Requiring lobe or gland removal