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Tracheostomy - Risks

Risks:

The risks for any anesthesia are:

  • Problems breathing
  • Reactions to medications, including heart attack and stroke

The risks for any surgery are:

  • Bleeding
  • Infection
  • Nerve injury, including paralysis

Other risks include:

  • Damage to the thyroid gland
  • Erosion of the trachea (rare)
  • Puncture of the lung and lung collapse
  • Scar tissue in the trachea that causes pain or trouble breathing
  • Reviewed last on: 1/5/2011
  • Jacob L. Heller, MD, MHA, Emergency Medicine, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Goldenberg D, Bhatti N. Management of the impaired airway in the adult. In: Cummings CW, Flint PW, Haughey BH, et al, eds. Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2005:chap 106.

Neacy KA. Tracheostomy care. In: Roberts JR, Hedges JR, eds. Clinical Procedures in Emergency Medicine. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2009:chap 7.

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The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
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