Table 3 Clinical features of four patients with dyspnea 6 months after percutaneous dilatational tracheotomy (PDT)
Feature | Patient 1 | Patient 2 | Patient 3 | Patient 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Underlying disease | Ileus | Colon cancer | Laryngeal cancer | COPD |
Concomitant condition | – | – | Supraglottic edema due to radiotherapy | – |
Duration of endotracheal intubation prior to PDT (days) | 9 | 14 | 0 | 8 |
Indication for PDT | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
Trachea inflammation prior to PDT | + | + | – | – |
Tracheal ring fracture due to PDT with subsequent resection | + | – | – | – |
Dyspnea | ||||
 at rest | + | – | + | – |
 on exertion | + | + | + | + |
Stridor | ||||
 inspiration | + | – | + | – |
 expiration | + | – | + | – |