Minimizing Complications in Tracheostomy and Cricothyrotomy

Surgical airway managementSurgical airway management is an essential skill for oral and maxillofacial surgeons. There are two main surgical airway procedures: tracheostomyTracheostomy and cricothyrotomyCricothyrotomy. Technique-related complications are preventable. Emergency surgical management of the airwayEmergency surgical management of airway is associated with more complications. Complications include bleeding, tracheal-esophageal communicationTracheal-esophageal communication, a false passage between the tracheaTrachea and sternumSternum, emphysemaEmphysema, pneumothoraxPneumothorax, pneumomediastinumPneumomediastinum, accidental decannulationAccidental decannulation, and tracheal stenosisTracheal stenosis. Preventing complications is easier than managing them. The purpose of this chapter is to explain the surgical technique for tracheostomy and cricothyrotomy and how to avoid intraoperative and postoperative complications.