Prophylactic minitracheotomy in lung resections. A randomized controlled study.

Thirty consecutive patients undergoing lung resections were randomized into two groups: Group 1 (n=15) received minitracheotomy postoperatively and group B (n=15) were control patients. Postoperative respiratory course was monitored by serial clinical assessments, chest x-ray examination, arterial blood gases, sputa bacterial cultures, and the patient's requirement and response to chest physiotherapy. The two groups were similarly matched in age (mean 58.5 years), smoking habits, pulmonary functions, and surgical procedures. Postoperative pulmonary complications of collapse/consolidation developed in 11 patients (two in group A and nine in group B) (p<0.03)