MINITRACHEOSTOMY IN VENTILATORY INSUFFICIENCY.

Sputum retention is a very common problem in comatose and postoperative patients. The biochemical changes of hypoxia and hypercarbia associated with it ultimately lead to respiratory failure. Tracheobronchial toilet can be achieved by various methods all of which have their disadvantages. Minitracheostomy has been suggested as the best available method for tracheobronchial toilet Nineteen patients in our series underwent minitracheostomy for tracheobronchial toilet Fifteen patients showed full recovery. The oxygen saturation improved from 85.47% to 98.53%. There were very few complications and the procedure was comfortable and acceptable to patients.