DIE PUNKTIONSTRACHEOTOMIE BEIM LANGZEITBEATMETEN INTENSIVPATIENTEN

In a prospective trial we tested the percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy in 53 ICU-patients treated with long-term artifical respiration. The tracheostomy was carried out under brochoscopic supervision. Of a total complication rate of 15.1% we observed two serious complications with perforation of the pars membranacea of the trachea, one requiring thoracotomy and the other leading to exitus letalis by mediastinal emphysema.