Tracheostomy.

Tracheostomy is a common procedure used by a wide variety of surgeons. Complications after tracheostomy have been used as a rationale for prolonging a translaryngeal intubation. Understanding the pathogenesis of tracheostomy complications combined with meticulous surgical and perioperative management avoids the majority of complications. The remaining complications are readily managed and should not provide a rationale for denying intubated patients the benefits of tracheostomy.