[Transtracheal O2 administration in long-term oxygen therapy].

The safety and efficacy of transtracheal oxygen delivery was evaluated in 8 patients with chronic hypoxemia due to severe lung disease. In 7 the tracheal catheter has now been in place for 7 months on average. It had to be removed in one patient because of hemorrhagic and purulent tracheitis. Accumulation of tenacious mucus at the endotracheal end of the catheter occurred in three patients. A mucus ball had to be removed by fiberoptic bronchoscopy in two. Oxygen usage is reduced by 50%, thus prolonging the duration of portable oxygen sources. All patients preferred the transtracheal catheter to the nasal cannula as being esthetically superior and non-injurious to the nasal mucosa.