Tracheostomy Literature Summaries
Summary of evidence for PDT versus open tracheostomy. No difference in ICU or hospital mortality; duration of ventilation; nosocomial pneumonia
Category CCC
The LITFL Critical Care Compendium is a comprehensive collection of pages concisely covering the core topics and controversies of critical care.
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
PaO2/FiO2 Ratio (P/F Ratio)
PaO2/FiO2 ratio is the ratio of arterial oxygen partial pressure (PaO2 in mmHg) to fractional inspired oxygen (FiO2 expressed as a fraction, not a percentage)
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
Treatment Decisions when patients lack competence
There are different approaches to determining what is in a patient's best interests, if he or she is not competent to express them for his or herself: