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Ординатура / Хирургия / Библиотека им академика М.И. Перельмана / Книга_4372_Библиотеки_им_академика_М_И_Перельмана

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N. A. Watson et al.
3.3 Types ofLaryngoscopes
andPharyngoscopes
There are a number of different laryngoscopes and pharyn­goscopes in use worldwide but the ones the authors have found the most useful are: the Lindholm (standard and extended) useful for supraglottic and glottic lesions (Fig.3.8), Dedo laryngoscope for access to the anterior commissure and Dohlman/ Weerda distending operating diverticuloscope (Fig.3.9) for cricopharyngeal myotomy, in the management of pharyngeal pouches.
Fig. 3.6 Traditional suspension laryngoscope and gallows
Fig. 3.8 Storz Lindholm laryngoscope
Fig. 3.7 Storz anterior commissure laryngoscope
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be used with extension at the atlanto-occipital joint and ex­ion of the neck on the chest. This is generally achieved with a head ring and elevation of the head of the table, as required, to provide optimal glottic exposure. Glottic pressure may be applied by the surgeon, assistant or straps if the view of the larynx is not optimal once the suspension has been applied [3]. MRI studies of different head and neck positions during microlaryngoscopy have conrmed the Boyce-Jackson exion- extension position to be optimal for viewing the lar­ynx at microlaryngoscopy compared with extension­extension and neutral positions of the head and neck [4]. This position has also been shown to reduce the pressure on the soft tissues and mucosa signicantly, protects the spine and minimises the risk of peri-and postoperative complica­tions [5]. Note some surgeons still prefer to use the extension­extension position where the head is placed directly on the operative table and is extended on the body and also on the neck (Fig.3.11) [6].
3.4.3 Examination
Fig. 3.9 Storz Weerda Diverticuloscope
3.4 Shared Principles ofPharyngoscopy andLaryngoscopy
3.4.1 Instruments
Pharyngoscope/laryngoscope (small/medium/large bore, anterior commissure), light carrier suction device and tubing, lubrication jelly, 0-, 30-, and 70-degree rigid endoscopes, light lead, anti-fog solution, 1:10000 adrenaline in gallipot and 1×1 or 3cm neuro patties, Mayo/suspension table, sus­pension arm, stack with computer screen and camera for image capture, microscope, and theatre layout as depicted in the schematic (Fig.3.10).
3.4.2 Position ofthePatient
In pharyngoscopy, the patient is placed in the supine posi­tion, with a shoulder bolster under the shoulders, (but no head ring) to allow the oesophagus to be in line with the upper pharynx. This position also allows oesophagoscopy, if required.
In laryngoscopy, the aim is to obtain the best possible
view of the glottis. The Boyce-Jackson position continues to
A silicone gumshield is placed to protect the top teeth, in a dentate patient. If edentulous or laser is being used, a wet gauze is placed over the upper gum to protect from injury. The pharyngoscope/laryngoscope of choice is held in the one hand, the ngers of the other hand help protect the lips±teeth and tongue as the scope hand guides the beak of the instrument towards the oropharynx.
For pharyngoscopy, it is important to examine the oro­pharynx as the pharyngoscope is guided towards to hypo­pharynx. Digital palpation of the oropharynx and base of tongue should also be performed as this can elicit non-visible submucosal masses.
In laryngoscopy, the scope is inserted in the right side of the oral cavity, sweeping the tongue to the left and advanced until the ET tube (if present) and epiglottis are viewed. Depending on the type of scope used, the beak is passed either anterior or posterior to the epiglottis to view the lar­ynx. When a Lindholm laryngoscope is used, the beak of the scope advances anterior to the epiglottis into the vallecula; hence, the epiglottis is within your view. However, with most other scopes, the beak is placed entirely posterior to the epi­glottis, into the supraglottis.
3.4.4 One-Handed Technique
Hold the endoscope in the non-dominant hand and the instru­ments in the dominant hand.
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Theatre layout for microlaryngoscopy
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Fig. 3.10 Schematic of an example theatre layout
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Anaesthetic machine
Microscope
3.4.5 Two-Handed Technique withSuspension Microlaryngoscopy
Once the laryngoscope is in the right place and a satisfactory view of the glottis is obtained, the laryngoscope is placed in suspension with the help of a suspension arm and a Mayo table or suspension arm of choice. A microscope is moved in front of the laryngoscope at a distance of 20–25cm allowing a direct line of sight of the larynx, freeing both hands for the intended microlaryngoscopy procedure (Fig.3.12). Images/recording of the larynx/glottis can be taken either with a rigid laryngoscope attached to a high-denition (HD) camera before and after any procedure or with a microscope- attached HD camera.
Table
Surgeon
Scrub nurse
AV stack
Screen
3.4.6 Laser Modications
Safety modications are necessary for the use of a laser dur­ing microlaryngoscopy. These include the use of a laser-safe cuffed endotracheal tube, placing of wet gauze over the exposed areas of the face and neck of the patient, a jug of normal saline available to extinguish any re that may occur, maintaining the patient’s oxygen saturations within normal limits by pre-oxygenating the patient, so that the oxygen administered can be reduced to <40% [7] during laser use (preferably 21%) [8], using wet neuro patties during the pro­cedure and the wearing of laser safety goggles and laser safe masks by staff during the procedure.
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3.4.7 Set-Up forEndoscopic Laryngoscopy
Although suspension microlaryngosocopy with a micro­scope can offer good views of the larynx and free both hands for instrumentation, the use of a rigid laryngoscope attached to an HD camera can offer unparalleled high-quality images of the larynx.
The use of a 0-, 30-, and 70-degree Hopkin’s rigid endo­scopes allows the visualisation of all but the most hidden anatomical features. The use of image enhanced laryngos­copy (see below) provides additional information.
On occasions, visualisation of the larynx, especially the anterior part of the vocal folds and anterior commissure, in particular, is difcult. The use of a 30-degree endoscope can greatly improve visualisation and hence instrumentation. Angled instruments may be required to reach the most ante­rior anatomical structures of the larynx in this situation: 70-degree scopes are particularly useful in staging and visu­alising neoplasms.
Once the suspension set-up is complete and the scope stable, instruments may be passed down the scope enabling both diagnosis and interventions using either a one- or two­handed technique (Fig.3.13).
Fig. 3.11 Pharyngoscopy/laryngoscopy basic instrument set-up
Fig. 3.12 Schematic of
endoscopic approach to suspension laryngoscopy
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Fig. 3.13 Schematic of microscopic approach to suspension laryngoscopy
3.5 Image-Enhanced Flexible Laryngoscopy
Imaged-enhanced laryngoscopy provides high-contrast images of lesions of the larynx and pharynx by means of optical and digital technologies, allowing contrast enhance­ment of the mucosal surfaces and blood vessels. These tech­nologies give further information by which the clinician can help differentiate between malignant and inammatory lesions by demonstrating the angiogenesis associated with early cancers. Examples include narrow-band imaging (NBI), i-SCAN, exible spectral imaging colour enhance­ment (FICE), and Storz Professional Image Enhancement System (SPIES). NBI uses optically modied white light (blue and green light) to enhance the contrast between the mucosal epithelium and submucosal vessels, whereas I-SCAN, FICE, and SPIES also enhance the contrast but cre­ate this effect by digitally manipulating the image with post­image processing.
The most widely used within ENT to date is NBI which has been shown to improve sensitivity and specicity of assess­ment of laryngeal lesions, helps with the diagnosis of precan­cerous and cancerous lesions, and facilitates more precise assessment of the status of surgical margins of early- stage and
N. A. Watson et al.
locally advanced laryngeal cancers managed with endoscopic laser resection and cordectomy. Changes in the microvascular architecture of the mucosa are classied according to Arens ELS classication [9]. NBI can also be useful in characterising hypertrophic lesions: laryngeal papillomatosis [10].
3.6 Anaesthetic Considerations
Operating in the pharynx, larynx, and trachea poses the anaesthetist numerous challenges as there is a shared airway, which can be compromised during the pre-, intra-, or post­operative period [11]. Pre-operative planning is key with the chosen setting for anaesthesia being in the operating theatre on the operating table in order to avoid any delay in achiev­ing the wider team in rescuing an airway or choosing a surgi­cal airway. Also, this setting, when using a tubeless eld technique, which is growing in popularity, limits the patient’s stimulation, movement in transfer, and delay in the surgeon commencing the procedure.
The “Laryngoscore” has been externally validated to be used for predicting good or difcult laryngeal exposure for laryngological procedures [6]. The Laryngoscore developed by Piazza etal rates 11 parameters: interincisors gap, thyro­mental distance, maxillary dental status, trismus, mandibular prognathism, macroglossia, micrognathia, degree of neck exion-extension, previous open-neck surgery and/or radio­therapy, Mallampati modied score, and body mass index, providing a score between 0 and 17 [12]. The original Piazza score of 6 and above predicted a difcult laryngeal examina­tion in 40% of patients.
Timing and medical optimisation of the patient as neces­sary is of the essence in any laryngoscopy procedure. In acute airway situations, optimisation with intravenous ste­roids, nebulised adrenaline anti-sialogogues, heliox, or high­ow oxygen with nasal cannulae via OptiFlow™ may provide crucial stabilisation of the airway prior to securing the airway with intubation prior to the procedure. If avail­able, airway assessment with cross-sectional imaging and, if possible, a virtual reconstruction of the airway±3D printed airway should be shared with the anaesthetic, nursing, and surgical teams. The gold standard pre-operative assessment of the airway is exible naso-laryngoscopy, recorded and stored electronically and made available for the multidisci­plinary theatre team to view prior to general anaesthetic. This can also be performed in the anaesthetic room if neces­sary. However, it is important to note that even though ana­tomically we can plan to predict the outcome, we will not know how the airway will react to general anaesthesia physi­ologically. An ultrasound machine can be used to pre­operatively mark the cricothyroid membrane for marking rescue airway strategies. An experienced team should prefer­ably be available to manage the airway and a 3-point airway plan made for each patient.
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Topical anaesthesia of the upper and lower airway mucosa with local anaesthetic is used prior to intubation and decreases stimulation of the larynx during intubation and the intended procedure. A maximum of 8mg/kg of topical lido­caine should provide a safe and effective topical anaesthetic effect. Some anaesthetists choose to use a 4% nebulised lido­caine and or delivery via a malleable atomiser: Madgic device (Teleex®). Total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA) infusion using propofol and low-dose remifentanil has grown in popularity and inhalational induction is now less popular in microlaryngoscopy and pharyngoscopy. TIVA is a pre­requisite for a tubeless eld.
3.6.1 Tubeless Ventilation
Tubeless ventilation provides the surgeon with a better eld of vision and less risk of re during a laser procedure than with an endotracheal tube. However, there are disadvantages of tubeless ventilation; prolonged ventilation is not possible (except in the case of using super-imposed high-frequency jet ventilation), there is a small risk of barotrauma, CO2 retention, and this method might not be suitable in obese patients nor those with poor lung function.
A tubeless eld is generally preferred by the surgeon and the two methods commonly used are Transnasal Humidied Rapid-Insufation Ventilatory Exchange (THRIVE) or jet ventilation. THRIVE is a physiological mechanism for oxy­genating and ventilating patients who are under general anaesthesia and who have diminished or absent respiratory effort. The ventilation for THRIVE occurs with a non­invasive nasal cannula providing oxygen at 70–90 L/min, which loops around the soft palate, and exits through the mouth. Humidication and warming generate a positive air­way pressure even if the mouth is open, which in turn reduces upper airway collapse and distal airway atelectasis. However, full CO2 clearance cannot be achieved and, thus, CO2 accu­mulates, limiting the operating time to an average of 30–40min.
THRIVE patients are pre-oxygenated positioned at 40° head-up with OptiFlow™ nasal cannula at a rate of 20L/ min, and then total intravenous anaesthesia commences and the ow increases to 40–60L/min over 1min. The mouth is encouraged to be closed during this period. Once loss of con­sciousness has been achieved, OptiFlow™ is increased to 70 L/min. The anaesthetist maintains jaw-thrust, the head end of the table is lowered to 0–20°, and two facemask breaths are given during a temporary suspension of OptiFlow™ in order to check the ease of ventilation and adequacy of relaxation. OptiFlow™ is then resumed and the surgeon takes over the airway to commence pharyngo­laryngoscopy with gradual pressure suspension microlaryn­goscopy. The vocal cords are then sprayed with local anaesthetic (e.g. 10% Xylocaine).
Once the procedure is complete, the laryngoscope is removed and the surgeon must maintain a jaw thrust and either the surgeon or anaesthetist inserts a laryngeal mask airway or i-gel. Ventilation is then conrmed, and the patient may be transferred on continuous oxygen to recovery. Spontaneous ventilation re-commences, and then the patient awakes. Contraindications to THRIVE include morbid obe­sity, total airway obstruction, and suspected or known skull base fracture.
Sometimes jet ventilation is preferred. Single- frequency jet ventilation can be either manual or automated high­frequency jet ventilation. Barotrauma is the main complica­tion causing morbidity and mortality [11]. Caution must also be taken to avoid gas trapping by ensuring sufcient outow. The manual jet can be provided by a Sanders-type injector and the automated devices are the Mistral or Monsoon. Jet ventila­tion can be delivered via supraglottic, transglottic, or transtra­cheal pathways. Supraglottic jet ventilation will provide a true tubeless eld but air trapping is particularly at risk especially in those with small diameter stenoses. Transglottic causes minimal vocal cord displacement but still may hinder surgical access to the posterior larynx and subglottis. The transtracheal route can be delivered via a cricothyroid cannula, for example Ravussin; however, there is concern that this may be associ­ated with complications during jet ventilation [11].
Single-frequency jet ventilation is limited to less than 30–40min due to the CO2 retention and subsequent meta­bolic acidosis. The superimposed high-frequency (TwinStream™) jet ventilation system, however, allows con­tinuous monitoring of pressures, end-tidal CO2 as well as FiO2; hence, patients can be anaesthetised for hours in an open system (Figs.3.14 and 3.15). It is suitable for use in obese patients and those with pulmonary diseases. This latter type of ventilation delivers larger tidal volume than single­frequency ventilation techniques.
Fig. 3.14 Superimposed high-frequency (Twinstream™) jet ventila­tion set-up with suspension laryngoscopy
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Fig. 3.15 Superimposed high-frequency (Twinstream™) jet ventilation machine
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3.6.2 Intubated Ventilation
This is the use of conventional tracheal intubation. A narrow bore microlaryngeal tube (MLT) tube, exometallic (rein­forced) or laser-safe/resistant tube is used to deliver conven­tional assisted ventilation in some patients undergoing laryngeal surgery.
3.7 Summary
Examination of the larynx and pharynx can be performed as either an ofce procedure or theatre procedure under local or general anaesthetic, respectively. There has been much development with image technology in the ofce setting over the last 40years with the advent and continued development of HD imaging allowing superb visualisation of the larynx and pharynx and the relatively more recent introduction of image enhanced technology, such as NBI.For patients under­going operative procedures under general anaesthesia, surgi­cal planning is of paramount importance with any operation involving the airway. Pre-optimisation and consideration of the most appropriate anaesthetic, whether to use tubed or tubeless ventilation, should be a joint multidisciplinary deci­sion when planning the operation. The choice of the opera­tive scopes used will depend on the task at hand and commonly used operative scopes include the Lindholm, Dedo, anterior commissure laryngoscopes, and Dohlman diverticuloscope.
References
1. St Clair T, Negus V.Diseases of the nose and throat. Cassell and Co Ltd. 1948. p.406.
2. Lewis R, Scott-Brown W. Diseases of the ear, nose and throat. London: Butterworth’s; 1952.
3. Hamilton N, Elmiyeh B, Sandhu G.Patient position for microlar­yngoscopy: a trainee survey. Clin Otolaryngol. 2010;35(3):254–5.
4. Tong B, Fang R, Smith BL.Study of the head and neck position in microlaryngoscopy using magnetic resonance imaging. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2013;270(1):243–7.
5. Friedrich G, Gugatschka M. Inuence of head positioning on the forces occurring during microlaryngoscopy. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2009;266(7):999–1003.
6. Tirelli G, Gatto A, Fortunati A, Marzolino R, Giudici F, Boscolo Nata F. Predicting laryngeal exposure in microlaryngos­copy: external validation of the laryngoscore. Laryngoscope. 2019;129(6):1438–43.
7. Li S, Chen L, Tan F. Laryngeal surgery using a CO2 laser: is a polyvinylchloride endotracheal tube safe? Am J Otolaryngol. 2012;33(6):714–7.
8. Spruce L.Back to basics: laser safety. AORN J. 2019;110(5):524–32.
9. Davaris N, Lux A, Esmaeili N, Illanes A, Boese A, Friebe M, etal. Evaluation of vascular patterns using contact endoscopy and narrow- band imaging (CE-NBI) for the diagnosis of vocal fold malignancy. Cancers. 2020;12(1):248.
10. Ochsner MC, Klein AM.The utility of narrow band imaging in the treatment of laryngeal papillomatosis in awake patients. J Voice. 2015;29(3):349–51.
11. Pearson K, McGuire B.Anaesthesia for laryngo-tracheal surgery, including tubeless eld techniques. BJA Educ. 2017;17(7):242–8.
12. Piazza C, Mangili S, Bon FD, Paderno A, Grazioli P, Barbieri D, et al. Preoperative clinical predictors of difcult laryngeal expo­sure for microlaryngoscopy: the laryngoscore. Laryngoscope. 2014;124(11):2561–7.
Part II
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Airway Surgery
Percutaneous Tracheostomy andOpen
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Standard Surgical Tracheostomy
KennethMuscat andSanjaiSood
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4.1 Introduction
Tracheostomy is recognised as one of the oldest surgical pro­cedures, with references to the creation of a surgical airway in the neck dating back to 3600 BC and pictures found in Egyptian art. The term tracheostomy refers to the creation of a communication between the trachea and the overlying skin of the neck. This procedure can be done in an elective or an emergency setting, and the stoma formed can be either tem­porary or permanent. Chevalier Jackson established the prin­ciples of the open standard surgical tracheostomy operation in the beginning of the twentieth century, and these have remained largely unchanged [1]. There is some debate about the optimal incision to use in the open surgical technique for adult patients undergoing tracheostomy. The options range from simple horizontal or vertical tracheotomy incisions, removing various sections in various shapes of the anterior tracheal rings to form a tracheal window, or the creation of a Bjork ap to be xed to the skin of the neck [2]. All of these techniques have their proponents, and there is currently no evidence to support one technique as superior.
With the expansion of intensive care units and wider use of long-term ventilation, the request for tracheostomy proce­dures has increased exponentially. The need for this proce­dure to be performed readily in certain critical care patients, together with logistic and cost-related issues, led to the development of the bedside percutaneous dilational trache­ostomy technique. Inspired by the Seldinger technique used for cannulation of veins and arteries, Ciaglia etal. published the basics of this technique in 1985 [3]. His method was based on serial dilations of a tract over a guide-wire, and it
K. Muscat (*) Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Mater Dei Hospital, Msida, Malta
S. Sood Department of Otorhinolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Bradford, UK e-mail: sanjai.sood@bthft.nhs.uk
gained popularity because it was reliable, reproducible, and relatively safe when compared with previously reported attempts in the literature. Subsequently, further variations of the percutaneous dilational tracheostomy method have been reported. Schachner et al. reported the Rapitrach method, which consisted of a dilating forceps with a metal conus inserted in the airway over a guide-wire through the neck [4]. Fantoni and Ripamonti described the translaryngeal trache­ostomy method, which interestingly used a retrograde tech­nique, passing a specically designed cannula through the mouth over a previously placed guide-wire [5]. The medical engineering industry further developed and rened equip­ment materials in order to specically facilitate a single­stage technique for the dilation of the tracheostomy tract. For example the Ciaglia Blue Rhino technique, described by Byhahn etal., resulted in a quicker procedure with less intra­operative bleeding and less risk of posterior tracheal wall injury [6].
Development of the percutaneous dilational tracheostomy technique was a signicant advancement in minimally inva­sive bedside procedures, and it denitely offers certain advantages. When compared with the standard open approach, the total time taken to do the procedure and the overall total costs are less [7]. There are also fewer logistic issues, and various papers in the literature have reported equal or reduced complication rates when compared with the standard technique [7]. That being said, the percutaneous dilational tracheostomy technique is typically used only in patients with optimal neck anatomy and in cases where a rigid checklist of patient and equipment factors is met, in order for it to be performed safely. When such factors are not met, the gold standard is still the classic open surgical tracheostomy.
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2024 R. Simo et al. (eds.), Atlas of Head and Neck Surgery, Springer Surgery Atlas Series,
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4.2 Preoperative Checklist, Considerations, andAnaesthesia
In the elective setting, one must ensure that adequate informed consent, covering indications for the procedure, options available to the patient, and potential complications, has been taken before performing any type of tracheostomy. It is also important to discuss the possibility that a tracheos­tomy may end up being permanent. According to the clinical circumstances, both patients and relatives should be allowed to understand the decision-making process and should be adequately prepared for the postoperative challenges, includ­ing routine tracheostomy care and communication difculty due to lack of vocalisation.
Good communication should be present between the intensive care and surgical teams involved in tracheostomy decision-making. It is in fact good practice to check whether a surgeon capable of performing an open surgical approach is available before starting a percutaneous dilational trache­ostomy, in case of an unexpected complication (such as bleeding), which may dictate the need to explore the site surgically.
It is imperative to check all relevant preoperative investi­gations, especially coagulation studies, as any bleeding dia­thesis, particularly if uncontrolled, is a contraindication for using the percutaneous dilational tracheostomy technique. In patients with a coagulopathy, bleeding factors should be optimised as much as possible before starting an open surgi­cal approach.
For a patient to be suitable for percutaneous tracheos­tomy, the intensive care physician should consider him or her to be easily re-intubatable through the per-oral route in case of accidental extubation. In case of doubt, it is safer to pro­ceed with a standard open approach. The same approach should be taken in the presence of laryngeal tumour, which may present distortion of anatomy, a difcult airway, seeding of tumour, or increased potential bleeding.
It is essential to examine and assess the clinical anatomy of the neck to evaluate suitability for percutaneous tracheos­tomy; the patient should have adequate ability to hyperex­tend the neck, and the distance between the cricoid cartilage and suprasternal notch should be at least 3–4cm [8]. Making sure the patient does not have an unstable cervical spine is a must, as this would preclude neck extension. Evidence of soft tissue infections at the anterior neck entry site or haema­toma formation are also contraindications for a percutaneous tracheostomy. In addition, one should be able to clearly pal­pate and identify the thyroid and cricoid cartilages. Such anatomical landmarks are difcult to identify in obese patients, making them less suitable for the percutaneous technique. These patients also have large amounts of soft tis­sue between the anterior tracheal wall and the skin, produc-
ing a long tracheostomy tract that remains collapsible for weeks with the percutaneous technique, making a change of tracheostomy tubes difcult and risky. Therefore, one should consider the open surgical approach if the planned tract is long or if the tracheostomy is needed for long-term use. A number of other anatomical variations, such as large thyroid goitres, suprasternal masses, or abnormal pulsations in the lower central neck, should also be evaluated. These are all relative contraindications for the percutaneous technique. Additional radiological investigations, including a bedside neck ultrasound scan, should be requested to investigate any suspected abnormalities, to help facilitate the decision regarding the type of procedure and the setting in which it should be performed. A good practice in the intensive care setting is to check the endotracheal tube positioning on the latest chest x-ray to exclude any gross deviations from the midline.
The classic open technique should be used in children because of the difculty of palpating the smaller trachea and the softer cartilaginous rings, which are more susceptible to iatrogenic trauma. The smaller diameter of the child’s tra­chea also increases the risk of damage to the posterior tra­cheal wall. Hyperextension should also be avoided in children because of an increased risk of damage to the tho­racic inlet vessels.
Preoperatively, it is essential to review the selection of tracheostomy tubes and type of percutaneous kits available and decide which one to use according to the indication and the experience or preference of the operator. A tube of a size above and a size below the one chosen should be readily available. Occasionally, special tubes with extra length or reinforcement may be needed, and a tracheostomy procedure should not be started until these are available [9]. Although there has been debate about the need for procedural adjuncts, such as sonography and bronchoscopy (rigid or exible), during the percutaneous technique, most large teaching units consider these to be routine elements for performing this procedure. Sonography excludes problems in the path of the guide-wire and helps to direct the insertion trocar in the tra­chea. Bronchoscopy is the gold standard to ascertain that the needle is in the midline and not placed laterally. Our advice is that if such equipment is present in the intensive care set­ting, it should be used routinely to minimise the complica­tion rate. Some clinicians would consider changing to an open approach if these are unavailable.
Ideally, both types of tracheostomy techniques should be done under general anaesthesia, with a dedicated anaes­thetist responsible for administration of the sedative, mus­cle relaxant, and analgesic medication. If general anaesthesia is unavailable or contraindicated, an open clas­sic surgical tracheostomy should be performed using local anaesthetic.