Rescue Tracheostomy for Patients With Unresectable Large Growing Neck Masses

Abstract

Most patients with undifferentiated thyroid cancer have unresectable disease with a very high rate of airway compromise. Tracheostomy typically entails technical issues in these cases. In fact, it can be very difficult to expose or simply locate the trachea beneath the mass, and the extensive soft tissue involvement can force the surgeon to cut the tumor to place the tracheostomy tube. The combined use of rigid bronchoscopy and percutaneous tracheostomy techniques, applied in an open surgical procedure, can greatly simplify the procedure. Furthermore, by this method, the airways are quickly secured and the risk of intraoperative bleeding is reduced.