Massive subcutaneous emphysema, nemotórax voltage and pneumomediastinum after percutaneous tracheostomy

Abstract

A 68-year-old woman who enter in intensive care unit due to septic shock. In the postoperative period, the patient remained unstable and decided to perform a percutaneous tracheotomy (PT) because prolonged intubation. In the first, the patient presents subcutaneous emphysema that progresses until becoming massive. Thoracic CT is performed where loss of the usual morphology of the posterior tracheal wall with continuity solution is observed. After revision by means of tracheobroncoscopia, it is decided to place a long tracheotomy cannula to leave the lesion proximal to pneumotaponamiento and thus avoid air leakage. From the placement of the new cannula, the patient presents a progressive decrease of the emphysema until its total resolution. PD is a safe procedure that is performed very frequently in the Intensive Care Servi- ces3, however, it is not without its complications. The review of Powell et al4 describes the complications of PT emphasizing peritracheal insertion, hemorrhage, wound infections, pneumothorax, and death. The range of complications in the literature ranges from 3 to 18% 5. In addition, no significant differences were found regarding the complications between the TP and the open technique.