IS TRACHEOSTOMY OBSOLETE?

Standard Tracheostomy is the method routinely used to relieve upper airway obstruction. This method though effective has its attendant complications. Minitracheostomy, which is a small cannula of 4 mm diameter introduced through the cricothyroid membrane has been tried in our series to relieve inspiratory stridor and also to deliver anaesthesia. The arterial oxygen saturation increased very significantly from 81.66% to 97.67%. The cannula was well accepted by the patients and there were very few complications.