Table 1.

Definitions of tracheostomy‐related complications

Hemorrhage	In tracheal stoma, needing manual or pharmacological intervention
Displaced tracheal cannula	Displacement requiring manual repositioning
Aspiration	Visualization of gastric contents in the airway or clinical indications of aspiration
Tracheal injury	Lacerations or wounds related to the procedure or from chafing by the tracheal cannula
Failed surgery	Discontinuation of the procedure due to complications or unforeseen events
Pneumothorax/pneumomediastinum/subcutaneous emphysema	Verified by chest CT or clinical examination
Airway obstruction	Causing severe dyspnea, needing physician attention
Accidental decannulation	Tracheal cannula dislodgment
Stoma infection	Culture verified infection resulting in change in antibiotics
Fistula	Tracheoarterial or tracheoesophageal fistula

Abbreviation: CT, computed tomography.