Summary
The author expresses appreciation for the article titled “The Use of Ultrasound Before Percutaneous Dilational Tracheostomy” and shares a relevant experience.
The author witnessed central nervous system toxicity following a 1 ml lidocaine injection into the aberrant carotid artery overlying the trachea during the administration of local anesthesia before a planned percutaneous dilational tracheostomy (PDT).
The author emphasizes that, besides reducing the risk of bleeding through the avoidance of vascular injuries, the combination of palpation and ultrasound guidance can significantly decrease the risk of local anesthetic toxicity during such procedures.
