A cadaver study appraising accuracy of blind placement of percutaneous tracheostomy.

An attempt was made to place a percutaneous catheter between the first and second cartilaginous rings of the trachea in 20 cadavers presenting for postmortem examination. Only nine of the catheters entered the trachea in the intended space. All catheters which were noted to be difficult to place entered the trachea higher than intended. One third of all catheters punctured the thyroid isthmus.