Abstract
Copyright: © 2013 Qureshi AZ, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Although tracheostomy is considered to be the most common surgical procedure performed on critically ill patients, there is no general consensus as to when a tracheostomy tube (TT) can be safely removed [1]. Bach and Saporito defined successful decannulation as extubation or decannulation and site closure with no consequent respiratory symptoms or blood gas deterioration for at least 2 weeks [2]. Removing a tracheostomy is of fundamental importance in rehabilitating a patient recovering from critical illness [3].
Highlights
Tracheostomy is considered to be the most common surgical procedure performed on critically ill patients, there is no general consensus as to when a tracheostomy tube (TT) can be safely removed [1]
Respiratory complications are common in acute spinal cord injuries (SCI) patients and tracheostomy is regularly required, in patients with tetraplegia [4]
Forty years ago, Bellamy reported that 77% of SCI patients with complete and 33% with incomplete tetraplegia underwent tracheostomy, out of which, 40% of the complete and 21 % of incomplete died in the first year [6]
Summary
Tracheostomy is considered to be the most common surgical procedure performed on critically ill patients, there is no general consensus as to when a tracheostomy tube (TT) can be safely removed [1]. Tracheostomy Decannulation; A Catch-22 for Patients with Spinal Cord Injuries Challenges of TT decannulation in patients with spinal cord injuries (SCI) are of particular importance.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
