Late Complication of Tracheostomy: Larynx-Shaped Reorganization of the Tracheal Rings or the True Larynx?

Jacopo Galli, Sara Giannantonio, Gaetano Paludetti

Institute of Otorhinolaryngology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, “A. Gemelli” University Hospital, Rome, Italy.

DOI: 10.4236/ss.2012.31010                

Abstract

Tracheostomy is a well-established, commonly used surgical procedure, whose early and late complications are widely described in literature. Some of them remain still poorly known, though. One of these rare complications is a peculiar larynx-shaped reorganization of the tracheal rings and cricoid cartilage. This tracheal narrowing seems to be non- symptomatic and not life-threatening, at least as long as the reduction of the lumen is <50% - 75%. Such a finding has never been described so far in the literature, and should be kept in mind as one of late complication of tracheostomy.

Keywords

Tracheostomy; Post-Tracheostomy Complications; Tracheal Stenosis; Optic Fiber Laryngoscopy; Double Larynx

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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