Objectives/hypothesis: To evaluate the safety and complications of endoscopic airway surgery using supraglottic jet ventilation with a team-based approach.
Study design: Retrospective cohort study.
Methods: Subjects at two academic institutions diagnosed with laryngotracheal stenosis who underwent endoscopic airway surgery with jet ventilation between January 2008 and December 2018 were identified. Patient characteristics (age, gender, race, follow-up duration) and comorbidities were extracted from the electronic health record. Records were reviewed for treatment approach, intraoperative data, and complications (intraoperative, acute postoperative, and delayed postoperative).
Results: Eight hundred and ninety-four patient encounters from 371 patients were identified. Intraoperative complications (unplanned tracheotomy, profound or severe hypoxic events, barotrauma, laryngospasm) occurred in fewer than 1% of patient encounters. Acute postoperative complications (postoperative recovery unit [PACU] rapid response, PACU intubation, return to the emergency department [ED] within 24 hours of surgery) were rare, occurring in fewer than 3% of patient encounters. Delayed postoperative complications (return to the ED or admission for respiratory complaints within 30 days of surgery) occurred in fewer than 1% of patient encounters. Diabetes mellitus, active smoking, and history of previous tracheotomy were independently associated with intraoperative, acute, and delayed complications.
Conclusions: Employing a team-based approach, jet ventilation during endoscopic airway surgery demonstrates a low rate of complications and provides for safe and successful surgery.
Level of evidence: 4 Laryngoscope, 131:2292-2297, 2021.
Keywords: Jet ventilation; airway management; difficult airway; laryngotracheal stenosis; subglottic stenosis; tracheal stenosis.
© 2021 The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.