Complications of Tracheostomy with Case Scenario | Medvarsity

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Early complications that may occur during or shortly after the tracheostomy procedure include: bleeding, air trapped around the lungs, air trapped in the deeper layers of the chest, air trapped underneath the skin around the tracheostomy, damage to the swallowing tube (esophagus), injury to the nerve that moves the vocal cords (recurrent laryngeal nerve) and, tracheostomy tube blockage.
Later Complications that may occur when the tracheostomy tube is in place include: accidental decannulation, infection of the trachea and the area surrounding the tracheostomy tube, the windpipe itself can be damaged due to a variety of factors, including tube pressure, bacteria that cause infections and form scar tissue and friction from a tube that moves too much.
Delayed Complications that may arise as a result of having a tracheostomy include: the trachea is thinned (eroded) as a result of the tube rubbing against it (tracheomalacia), tracheo-esophageal fistula, development of bumps (granulation tissue), narrowing or collapse of the airway above the tracheostomy site, the opening may not close on its own after the tracheostomy tube is removed (tubes remaining in place for 16 weeks or longer are more at risk for needing surgical closure).
Dr. Pratheema R, discusses in detail about the complications of tracheostomy with case scenario.