International journal of preventive medicine
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Severe tetanus is one of the indications for admissions into the intensive care unit requiring muscular paralysis, tracheostomy and mechanical ventilatory support. This study aimed to evaluate tetanus patients managed with tracheostomy and to determine associated complications. ⋯ Tetanus is still a major health problem in developing countries and this can be prevented if recommended childhood tetanus vaccination and booster shots regimen are properly taken. Although, tracheostomy is associated with complications in severe tetanus patients, these patients would have all died of cardio-respiratory failure if tracheostomy had not been performed.