THE PERCUTRAC - A MINIMALLY INVASIVE PERCUTANEOUS TRACHEOSTOMY DEVICE

The traditional surgical technique of tracheostomy involves a formal d issection to gain access to the airway. This is usually indicated when prolonged airway protection or mechanical ventilation is required and as such is often performed in conjunction with intensive care managem ent. Alternative percutaneous approaches have recently been introduced to facilitate the performance of this procedure. These involve the us e of disposable kits which are expensive. The technique introduced by the authors involves specially designed and reusable surgical instrume nts (Percutrac) which allow rapid access to the airway at the bedside, operating theatre or in cases of emergency airway obstruction. Being autoclavable the instruments are reusable and therefore cost effective .