[Percutaneous tracheostomy for the management of the patient with a difficult airway].

BACKGROUND

In recent years, percutaneous tracheostomy has been performed in patients with adverse conditions such as short neck, obesity, coagulopathy or in emergency.

METHODS

We performed percutaneous tracheostomy with Griggs' or Ciaglia's technique in five patients with difficult airways due to laryngeal tumors, a laryngeal edema, a neck cancer or a cervical injury.

RESULTS

Well-trained anesthesiologists performed all procedures. In four patients, percutaneous tracheostomy was completed rapidly without any complications. The rest of patients underwent orotracheal intubation successfully with a percutaneous tracheostomy set prepared for an emergency situation. We call this setting "Stand-by PCT".

CONCLUSIONS

We believe that percutaneous tracheostomy in well-trained hands can be used safely for the management of the patient with a difficult airway.