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Definitions of tracheostomy complications |
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| Minor complications |
Definition |
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| 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 |
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| Serious complications |
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| 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 |
El Solh and Jaafar Critical Care 2007 11:R3 doi:10.1186/cc5147 |
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