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Obesity and Tracheostomy: Indications, Timing, and Techniques

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Mechanical Ventilation in the Critically Ill Obese Patient

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Abstract

Tracheostomy is a commonly performed procedure on critically ill patients who require prolonged mechanical ventilation. Obesity has previously been considered a relative contraindication to performing tracheostomy due to increased risk of periprocedural complications. Over the years, advancements have been made with the use of flexible and rigid bronchoscopy to assist in percutaneous dilational tracheostomy. Recent studies have evaluated the safety of performing tracheostomy in obese patients utilizing these different techniques. Despite the developments, there are still major risk factors that need to be taken into consideration in the obese population prior to tracheostomy placement. The indications, optimal timing, techniques (both percutaneous and surgical), and potential complications of performing tracheostomy in obese patients will be discussed in this chapter. The preferred method of tracheostomy is a topic of debate, and decision to proceed with the procedure requires an individualized approach.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. UC Irvine, School of Medicine, Irvine, CA, USA

    Bahman Saatian M.D. & Julie H. Lyou M.D.

  2. Veterans Affair Long Beach Healthcare System, Long Beach, CA, USA

    Bahman Saatian M.D.

Authors
  1. Bahman Saatian M.D.
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  2. Julie H. Lyou M.D.
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Bahman Saatian M.D. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Intensive Care and Non Invasive Ventilatory Unit, Hospital Morales Meseguer, Murcia, Spain

    Antonio M. Esquinas

  2. Dept Respiratory and CC Medicine, Schaffner Hospital, Lens, France

    Malcolm Lemyze

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Saatian, B., Lyou, J.H. (2018). Obesity and Tracheostomy: Indications, Timing, and Techniques. In: Esquinas, A., Lemyze, M. (eds) Mechanical Ventilation in the Critically Ill Obese Patient. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-49253-7_18

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-49253-7_18

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-49252-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-49253-7

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