Iatrogenic aortic arch injury after unsuccessful percutaneous tracheostomy

J Card Surg. 2020 Mar;35(3):686-688. doi: 10.1111/jocs.14424. Epub 2020 Jan 16.

Abstract

Tracheostomy is a procedure that creates a direct opening to the airway through an incision in the anterior wall of the trachea. These days it is usually performed percutaneously as it is generally regarded as a safe procedure. We present the case of an unusual complication of aortic arch injury after percutaneous tracheostomy (PT) performed at an outside hospital. Major vascular injury was managed with sternotomy and direct aortic repair with a successful outcome. We believe PT should be performed under direct bronchoscopy visualization to limit any possible complications. Intensivists should be aware of this extremely rare complication of PT, which requires emergency cardiac surgery intervention and a team effort for appropriate management.

Keywords: complication; iatrogenic; percutaneous; tracheostomy; vascular injury.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aorta, Thoracic / injuries*
  • Aorta, Thoracic / surgery*
  • Emergencies
  • Humans
  • Iatrogenic Disease*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Postoperative Complications / surgery*
  • Sternotomy / methods
  • Tracheostomy / adverse effects*
  • Tracheostomy / methods
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vascular Surgical Procedures