Customising the length of the Montgomery T-tube whilst retaining a bevelled edge

• Published in: Journal of laryngology and otology Vol. 129; no. 3; pp. 273 - 275
• Main Authors: Gan, A, Varadarajan, V, Rothera, M P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press 01.03.2015
• Subjects: Airway Obstruction - surgery; Equipment Design; Humans; Intubation, Intratracheal - instrumentation; Ostomy; Otolaryngology; Pediatrics; Postoperative Complications - prevention & control; Short Communication; Stents; Trachea - surgery; Tracheal Stenosis - surgery; Tracheostomy - adverse effects; Tracheostomy - instrumentation; Tracheostomy - methods; Tracheotomy; Treatment Outcome; United States > US; Tracheostomy; Larynx; Tracheal Stenosis; Trachea; Stents; Airway Obstruction
• ISSN: 0022-2151; 1748-5460
• DOI: 10.1017/S0022215114002588

The Montgomery T-tube is used in a number of conditions that require safe tracheal stenting. Specific lengths of T-tube limbs are occasionally needed in patients with complex airway anatomy or differing neck proportions; this requires customisation of the T-tube limbs. This is done either by pre-ordering customised T-tubes from the manufacturer (which needs to be planned ahead of time) or using a tube cutter in the operating theatre. However, the latter does not provide a 'factory like' bevelled edge when shortened, which increases the risk of mucosal trauma and granulation formation. This paper reports a novel technique for customising the length of existing Montgomery T-tubes, with preservation of the bevelled edges. This technique can be easily performed with basic equipment available in operating theatres.