Open AccessTo Be Cautious or Not: Tension Pneumothorax After First Tracheostomy Tube Exchange
Author(s) -
Ankur Luthra,
Rajeev Chauhan,
Pranshuta Sabarwal,
Abinash Sahoo
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
indian journal of otolaryngology and head and neck surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.229
H-Index - 22
eISSN - 2231-3796
pISSN - 0973-7707
DOI - 10.1007/s12070-019-01593-2
Subject(s) - medicine , tracheotomy , subcutaneous emphysema , mediastinitis , surgery , tube (container) , pneumothorax , airway , tracheostomy tube , otorhinolaryngology , chest tube , granulation tissue , tension pneumothorax , wound healing , mechanical engineering , engineering
Tracheostomy tube change is a relatively common procedure once a tracheo-cutaneous tract matures. Regular tracheostomy tube changes prevent the formation of granulation tissue and reduce bacterial colonization (Yaremchuk and Yaremchuk in Laryngoscope 113(1):1-10, 2003). However, serious complications such as subcutaneous emphysema, loss of airway and mediastinitis, can occur if the tube exchange is performed inappropriately. We present a rare association of tension pneumothorax following a tracheostomy tube exchange in a 50-year-old patient who underwent tracheotomy 3 days back. The patient was successfully managed conservatively with chest tube and supportive care.