Tracheostomy in the management of chest injuries: its use and complications.

During the period March 1968 to June 1978 a total of 238 adult patients received long term artificial ventilation for acute respiratory failure following chest and associated injuries. In 180 of these tracheostomy was used as the means of access to the tracheobronchial tree. Our indications for tracheostomy in these patients, details of treatment and the complications which resulted from this aid to management are given. The lack of serious complications suggests that tracheostomy can be used safely and with advantage in the management of acute respiratory failure after injury.