Early complications after tracheastomy

Abstract EN

Having a tracheostomy is considered to be a safe and straightforward procedure, but as with many surgical procedures it does carry a risk of complications. Aim : to evaluate tracheostomy early complications at Medical City Complex, Baghdad. Patients and methods : A prospective study of (125) consecutive tracheostomies that were performed during one year period from May 2006 through May 2007 in Medical City, Baghdad. Results : Ninety three patients (74.4 %) were males.

Thirty seven patients (29.6 %) were in their third decade.

Complications developed in fifty three patients (42.4 %) ; wound infection was the commonest in twenty three patients (43.4 %), followed by subcutaneous emphysema in fourteen patients (26.4 %) and hemorrhage in ten patients (18.8 %).

One tracheostomy related death was encountered (0.8 % of the total no.

of patients).

The complication rate was significantly higher in urgent tracheostomies (50.6 %) than elective procedures (26.1 %) and in those performed with local and aesthesia (48.3 %) compared to (25 %) under general anaesthesia Conclusions : Most of early complications were due to the urgency of the procedure and inadequate postoperative nursing care.

Wound infection was the commonest complications.