Table 3

Early and late complications of tracheostomy


Morbid obesity (n = 89)
Control (n = 338)

Complication
Early
Late
Early
Late
Cuff leak
1 (1%)
2 (2%)
6 (2%)
18 (5%)
Tube obstruction
1 (1%)
3 (3%)
0
1 (0.3%)
Minor bleeding
9 (10%)
1 (1%)
22 (7%)
1 (0.3%)
Major bleeding
0%
1 (1%)
1 (0.3%)
5 (2%)
Minor barotrauma
1 (1%)
0
1 (0.3%)
0
Major barotrauma
0
0
1 (0.3%)
0
Minor stoma infection
3 (4%)
1 (1%)
7 (2%)
2 (0.5%)
Severe stoma infection
0
1 (1%)
0
0
Tracheoesophageal fistula
0
0
0
0
Extratracheal placement
1 (1%)
2 (2%)
0
0
Tracheal stenosis
0
0
0
0
Injury to nerve, artery, or vein
0
0
0
0

El Solh and Jaafar Critical Care 2007 11:R3   doi:10.1186/cc5147