ACCIDENTAL DECANNULATION OF TRACHEOSTOMY TUBES -
Departments of Otorhinolaryngology, 1Surgery, 2Anaesthesia, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria.
E-mail:habeebomokanye@yahoo.com
*Correspondence
Grant support: None
Conflict of Interest: None
ABSTRACT
Background: Tracheostomy tube (TT) is usually removed in a planned manner once the patient ceases to have the condition that necessitated the procedure. Accidental decannulation or extubation refers to inadvertent removal of tracheostomy tube out of the stoma. It could prove fatal in an otherwise stable patient. We review a variety of unexpected and often-overlooked causes of accidental decannulation with suggestions on preventive measures. We therefore present three cases of accidental decannulation of tracheostomy tubes in order to report our experiences in the management of the condition.
Conclusion: Accidental decannulation occurs both in hospitalized as well as in patients on home care of their tracheostomy tubes. Reduction in neck circumference due to weight loss predisposes to accidental decannulation, which could be prevented by suturing the flanges to the skin.
Keywords: Accidental decannulation, Tracheostomy complications, Post thyroidectomy, Neck trauma, Weight loss.