Percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy is a common surgical procedure that is becoming the method of choice in critically ill patients whenever prolonged airway secure and/or ventilation support is needed. Although adverse events are relatively uncommon, serious life threatening complications can arise from this bedside procedure. We report a case of a 70-year-old female who developed extensive subcutaneous emphysema and bilateral pneumothorax immediately after a percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy procedure. Different mechanisms, such as damage to posterior or anterior tracheal wall, false passage or paratracheal placement or dislocation of the cannula are considered to be responsible for the development of pneumothorax and subcutaneous emphysema. Although bronchoscopic control after the tracheostomy procedure did not reveal any tracheal injury, we believe that subcutaneous emphysema and bilateral pneumothorax are most likely caused by procedure induced injuries of the trachea in addition to the applied high airway pressure induced by excessive or inappropriate ventilation. In our case report, we would like to emphasize that continuous bronchoscopic guidance during percutaneous tracheostomy is invaluable in decreasing the incidence of its overall complications, especially during enhancing the team experience.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|
Ann Thorac Cardiovasc Surg
January 2025
Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Kobe University, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan.
Purpose: In totally endoscopic off-pump left atrial appendage (LAA) closure and surgical ablation, securing the operative field is sometimes difficult in some patients because of a narrow working space caused by an elevated diaphragm or ventricles. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a method that facilitates securing the operative field using an artificial pneumothorax.
Methods: We analyzed 71 consecutive patients who underwent totally endoscopic off-pump LAA closure and bilateral pulmonary vein isolation.
Br J Anaesth
January 2025
Department of Anesthesia, Pain Management & Perioperative Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada.
Background: Moderate-to-severe pain is common after cardiac surgery, peaking during the first and second postoperative days. Several nerve blocks for sternotomy have been described; however, the optimal location for continuous catheters has not been established. This study assessed the feasibility of a larger trial evaluating the efficacy of serratus anterior plane (SAP) catheter analgesia for sternotomy pain.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMedicine (Baltimore)
January 2025
Department of Trauma Surgery, Chungbuk National University Hospital, Cheongju, Republic of Korea.
Rationale: Hypothermia, defined as a core body temperature below 35°C, is a common and serious complication in severe trauma patients, often worsened by hemorrhage and medical interventions. Dexmedetomidine, an α2-adrenergic agonist used for sedation in intensive care units, has known thermoregulatory effects; however, its association with hypothermia in trauma patients remains insufficiently explored.
Patient Concerns: A 40-year-old male with severe polytrauma from a motor vehicle accident presented in distress, with hypotension, tachycardia, and a baseline temperature of 35.
J Thorac Dis
December 2024
Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
Background: Spontaneous pneumothorax (SP) has been reported to be associated with osteosarcoma lung metastases, but the computed tomography (CT) characteristics of lung metastases in patients with pneumothorax have not been comprehensively described. The study aimed to describe the CT characteristics of lung metastases in patients with osteosarcoma and to identify factors associated with SP.
Methods: This study comprised 123 patients diagnosed with osteosarcoma lung metastasis at our hospital between January 2016 and December 2021.
S D Med
November 2024
Sanford USD Medical Center, Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare cystic lung disease that causes progressive pulmonary damage. It typically affects young reproductive-age females with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). The clinical manifestations of LAM result from the progressive invasion of abnormal smooth muscle cells into lung parenchyma, lymphatics, or pulmonary vasculature.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!