A 61-year-old man undergoes percutaneous tracheostomy on ICU day 12. Post-procedure, he desaturates and develops subcutaneous emphysema in the neck. C...

Question

A 61-year-old man undergoes percutaneous tracheostomy on ICU day 12. Post-procedure, he desaturates and develops subcutaneous emphysema in the neck. CXR shows bilateral pneumomediastinum but no pneumothorax. What is the most likely complication?

Accepted Answer

Posterior tracheal wall perforation with paratracheal tube placement

Answer

Oesophageal perforation

Answer

Recurrent laryngeal nerve injury

Answer

Tracheo-innominate fistula

Answer

Tracheal ring fracture without clinical significance

uk-fficm MCQ (SBA): Tracheostomy Complications

A 61-year-old man undergoes percutaneous tracheostomy on ICU day 12. Post-procedure, he desaturates and develops subcutaneous emphysema in the neck. CXR shows bilateral pneumomediastinum but no pneumothorax. What is the most likely complication?