Fantoni translaryngeal tracheotomy (TLT) with rigid endoscopic control

Rationale. The incidence of translaryngeal tracheotomy (TLT)-associated peri- and postoperative complications should be assessed prospectively. Methods. TLT was carried out in operation-theatre under rigid endoscopic control. Peri- and postoperative complications, decanulement and late sequelae were assessed in ENT-patients. In patients of other wards only perioperative complications were evaluated. Results. 41 patients (26 ENT-patients, 15 patients of other wards) were tracheotomised by TLT. Perioperatively, we observed 3 technical problems (accidental pulling through of the tracheostomy tube). In 2 of these cases TLT could be completed without problems, in 1 case TLT was converted to surgical tracheotomy. Postoperatively, we could find no complications in 26 ENT-patients. Decanulation took place after 7 days on average. We found no tracheocutaneous fistulas or tracheostenoses, scars were unobtrusive. Conclusions. TLT with rigid endoscopy is a simple percutaneous tracheotomy-technique with a low complication rate.