engleski

Long lasting airway maintenance by help of the surgical tape

Introduction: All efforts in the ICU are futile without maintenance of effective airway. Mechanical ventilation lasting more than two weeks obliges tracheotomy (surgical or percutaneous). Aim: We report a case of a mechanical ventilation on tracheal cannula for more than 800 days with intriguing help of the surgical tape and tampon. Case report: Pediatric patient with spastic cerebral palsy, tetraparesis, and marked thoracic spine kyphoscoliosis had gotten pneumonia and became respiratory insufficient. 20 days after tracheal intubation and beggining of the mechanical ventilation surgical tracheotomy was performed. A month later anterior tracheal tissue wall became necrotic and tracheal stoma widended. There was inspiratory flow leak causing insufficient ventilation. Surgical efforts to reduce air leak were ineffective. To decrese leak and ensure effective ventilation, surgical tampon covered with the surgical tape was placed over the tracheal cannula and stoma. The patient has been sufficiently, without major difficulties, ventilated more than 800 days. Conclusion: Surgical tape over surgical tampon could be an effective aid in maintaining an effective airway.

airway maintenance ; surgical tape

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