Tracheal Obstruction as a Complication of Tracheostomy Tube Malfunction Case Report and Review of the Literature

Tracheostomy is a procedure frequently used in the intensive care unit for prolonged ventilatory support, long-term airway maintenance, and to prevent the complications of long-term translaryngeal intubation. It is believed that it eases patient care and improves the process of weaning from mechanical ventilation. The timing of tracheostomy is controversial and most physicians prefer translaryngeal intubation for needs of up to 10 days and a tracheostomy if an artificial airway for more than 21 days is anticipated. Tracheostomy can be associated with numerous acute (perioperative or postoperative) complications. Some of these complications continue to be a problem after the placement of the tracheostomy tube, and there are specific late complications that have clinical relevance. To our knowledge, there has been no description of a malfunctioning tracheostomy tube leading directly to complications and we are reporting the first case.