Percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT) has become an appropriate alternative to conventional surgical tracheostomy. It is now performed worldwide by a diverse array of physician specialists. Although adverse events are relatively uncommon, serious complications can arise from this bedside procedure. We report a patient who suffered life-threatening hemorrhage from a common carotid artery laceration and pseudo-aneurysm formation in the innominate artery following an elective PDT procedure.
RichterT, GottschlichB, SutarskiS, MüllerR, RagallerM. Late life-threatening hemorrhage after percutaneous tracheostomy. Int J Otolaryngol, 2011;890380.
4.
El SolhAA. Airway management in the obese patient. Clin Chest Med, 2009; 30(5):555–568.
5.
AyoubOM, GriffithsMV. Aortic arch laceration: a lethal complication after percutaneous tracheostomy. Laryngoscope, 2007; 117(1):176–178.
6.
PhilipRR, BostonUS, BallwegJA, GoldbergSP, Knott-CraigCJ. Iatrogenic pseudoaneurysm of the innominate artery in a neonate. J Card Surg, 2012; 27(2):242–244.
7.
PetrocheilouG, KokkinisC, StathopoulouS, FragopoulouL, MihosP, PapadakiPJ, VlychouM. Iatrogenic pseudoaneurysm of the brachiocephalic artery: a rare complication of Hickman line insertion. Int Urol Nephrol, 2008; 40(4):1107–1110.
8.
MuhammadJK, MajorE, WoodA, PattonDW. Percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy: haemorrhagic complications and the vascular anatomy of the anterior neck. A review based on 497 cases. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg, 2000; 29(3):217–222.
9.
RajajeeV, FletcherJJ, RochlenLR, JacobsTL. Real-time ultrasound-guided percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy: a feasibility study. Crit Care, 2011; 15(1):R67.
10.
GuinotPG, ZogheibE, PetiotS, MarienneJP, GuerinAM, MonetP, et al. Ultrasound-guided percutaneous tracheostomy in critically ill obese patients. Crit Care, 2012; 16(2):R40.
11.
GilbeyP. Fatal complications of percutaneous dilatation tracheostomy. Am J Otolaryngol, 2012; 33(6):770–773.
12.
KristensenMS. Ultrasound in the management of the airway. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand, 2011; 55(10):1155–1173.
13.
RudasM, SeppeltI. Safety and efficacy of ultrasound before and during percutaneous dilatation tracheostomy in adult patients: a systemic review. Crit Care Resusc, 2012; 14(4):297–301.
