Role of Tracheostomy in Respiratory Distress: A Study of 50 Cases

Abstract

ABSTRACT Tracheostomy plays a vital role in respiratory distress caused by different conditions, like respiratory passage of obstruction, head and neck tumor, surgeries, trauma patients and inflammatory conditions. Timing of the operation and postoperative care deserves more emphasis. Delay in the performance of this operation defeats the purpose of tracheostomy and if managed properly, it is a life saving procedure. The aim of the study was not only to give immediate relief to the patients of respiratory distress. But also to study age and sex distribution indication and evaluate factors associated with morbidity and mortality, intraoperative and postoperative complications associated with this procedure. This study was done on 50 cases of respiratory distress admitted in different department of Rajindra Hospital, Patiala, who underwent tracheostomy as an emergency or elective procedure. Most of the patients (24%) were of 50 to 60 years of age of which 60% were males. Emergency tracheostomy was done in most of the cases (64%). Most common complication was wound infection and granuloma formation (16%). Mortality due to primary disease (tumors of head and neck) was 34%. Followed by head injury (29%). Only one patient died of tracheostomy due to excessive bleeding. How to cite this article Sahni D. Role of Tracheostomy in Respiratory Distress: A Study of 50 Cases. Clin Rhinol An Int J 2015;8(1):20-23.