Technique of Harmonic Focus In Tracheostomy

Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to show the technique of the Harmonic FOCUS® Cured Shears (HF) in tracheostomy in the shortest possible period of time. Methods: Patients were 10 individuals who had undergone tracheostomy at Tokyo Medical University Hachioji Medical Center. HF was used in the all 10 patients. A skin incision was made in the inferior margin of the cricoid cartilage, and FOCUS® was used from treatment of subcutaneous fat onwards. FOCUS® was used both to dissect the subcutaneous fat, as well as the anterior muscles of the neck and anterior jugular vein, and to seal these parts. The pyramidal lobe of the thyroid gland was transected at a height directly below the cricoid cartilage, and the trachea was reached. Results: The mean time taken to reach the trachea was 93.1 s (range, 63-115 s). Conclusions: The HF is useful for tracheostomy and enables an airway to be secured within a short period of time.