Abstract

MOGEDAS-VEGARA, Alfonso et al. Airway management in head and neck oncology. Rev Esp Cirug Oral y Maxilofac [online]. 2014, vol.36, n.4, pp.164-168. ISSN 2173-9161.  https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.maxilo.2013.07.003.

Background: Airway management in head and neck surgery presents several challenges to the surgeon and the anaesthesist. The use of elective tracheostomy is widely used, but there is still some controversy in the literature. Methods: A prospective study analyzing clinical aspects, indications and complications of 57 head and neck patients who underwent tracheostomy was performed from January 2011 to June 2012 in the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department of Vall D¿Hebron Hospital, Barcelona, Spain. Results: Microvascular reconstruction patients were the most frequent group in which tracheostomy was performed (40.35%). The complications rate associated with the technique was of 22.8%, of which only 7% were considered major, and 5.8% minor. The complication rate in relation to cannula care was 15.8%. Conclusions: We conclude that tracheostomy is a simple and effective method for airway management in head and neck patients, with a low complication rate.

Keywords : Airway; Tracheostomy; Head and neck.

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