Life-threatening luminal obstruction due to mucous plugging in chronic tracheostomies: three case reports and a review of the literature.

Tracheotomy is a common treatment option for a number of acute and chronic medical conditions. Emergency personnel may be required to deal with one or more of the complications associated with tracheostomy tubes. One of the more common, and potentially serious, problems involves luminal obstruction. These case reports describe three patients with luminal obstruction of long standing tracheostomy tubes. We propose that emergency medical personnel must act swiftly to eliminate the possibility of respiratory difficulties due to the result of tracheostomy tube obstruction. Prompt removal of the tracheostomy tube in cases of subtotal and total obstruction may prevent rapid deterioration or cardiopulmonary arrest.