Tracheostomy Literature Summaries
Summary of evidence for PDT versus open tracheostomy. No difference in ICU or hospital mortality; duration of ventilation; nosocomial pneumonia
Category Airway
Percutaneous vs Surgical Tracheostomy
Percutaneous tracheostomy = reference to a number of different techniques to insert a tracheostomy (gradual dilation, forceps dilation, rhino and translaryngeal techniques)
Respiratory distress in Tracheostomy Patient
There are important considerations regarding tracheostomy management that differ from the standard approach to respiratory distress
Bleeding Tracheostomy
Haemorrhage from, or around, a tracheostomy site is both relatively common and potentially life-threatening
Laryngeal Mask Airway (LMA)
LMA is an acronym for Laryngeal Mask Airway; a type of extraglottic airway device aka supraglottic airway device (SAD)
Intubating LMA
the intubating LMA (Fastrach™) is a specially designed supraglottic airway device (SAD) that can be used as a conduit to facilitate intubation
ETT Stylet
ETT stylet is a device that allows the endotracheal tube (ETT) to be stiffened and the shape molded as desired.
Direct versus Video Laryngoscopy
the advent of video laryngoscopy has led to some experts stating that it should be considered 'standard of care' (a loaded term) or at least best practice, this had led to vigorous and sometimes heated debate, especially in the emergency medicine community
Direct Laryngoscopy
Direct laryngoscopy is the use of the laryngoscope to visualise the vocal cords (larynx) under direct vision, usually to facilitate endotracheal intubation.
Difficult Airway Algorithms
Difficult Airway Algorithms. Difficult airway algorithms are useful for considering all the contingencies that may occur during intubation
Delayed sequence intubation (DSI)
Delayed sequence intubation (DSI) is procedural sedation, where the procedure is preoxygenation. DSI may be useful in the patient for whom rapid sequence intubation would inevitably result in significant hypoxaemia because they cannot be preoxygenated by other means
Airway Obstruction
Complete obstruction of the upper airway occurs when there is inability to talk, cough or breath. Apnea and cyanosis are present and paradoxical respirations may be noted.