[Minitracheotomy in treating upper airway obstruction after anterior cervical fusion].

Respiratory disturbance occurs sometimes after anterior cervical fusion. This is often a result of upper airway obstruction due to prevertebral soft tissue swelling. Therefore we used cricothyrotomy tubes (Mini-Trach) in two patients with postoperative upper airway obstruction and performed assist-ventilation via the tubes. After starting to ventilate through Mini-Trach II, respiratory disturbance disappeared soon and respiration improved markedly. Mini-Trach II is an effective device to use in patients with post-operative respiratory disturbance due to prevertebral soft tissue swelling.