The Laryngoscope
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Early reports of a percutaneous dilatational technique for tracheotomy tube placement have been encouraging. This method uses a needle for placement into the trachea, a J-tipped guidewire, and progressively larger dilators to widen the stoma for insertion of a tracheotomy tube. A prospective study was undertaken to assess the efficacy of this percutaneous tracheotomy technique. ⋯ Percutaneous tracheotomy is a dangerous procedure with potential for catastrophic complications. These complications were encountered by third- and fourth-year surgical residents performing the procedure under close supervision. If the puncture technique is further popularized and attempted by untrained physicians, these authors predict many disasters.