Prevention and management of pulmonary complications by percutaneous polyethylene tube tracheostomy

Summary Percutaneous polyethylene tube tracheostomy has proved to be a simple and effective method for the prevention and management of pulmonary complications in both medical and surgical patients. The paroxysms of involuntary coughing produced by the periodic intratracheal instillation of various agents, together with the mucolytic effects of certain agents, aid in keeping the tracheobronchial tree clear. The need for therapeutic nasotracheal aspiration and bronchoscopy in this group of patients has been virtually eliminated.