Percutaneous dilatation tracheostomy: does it improve the outcome in ICU?

ABSTRACT

Percutaneous dilatation tracheostomy [PDT] is increasingly being used in the intensive care unit [ICU], and has probably increased the number of procedures performed. The primary aim of this study was to compare the percutaneous dilatation tracheostomy [PDT] with the traditional surgical tracheostomy [97] as regards ICU outcome. A prospective study was performed in the ICU. 46 patients were divided to undergo surgical tracheostomy [ST] or percutaneous dilatation tracheostomy [PDT]. Perioperative complications were recorded and analyzed. 21 patients underwent [ST] and 25 patients for [PDT]. There were no difference between the two groups in terms of age, sex, BMI, APACHE II score and baseline fractional inspired oxygen [FIO2]. The duration of the procedure and intubation days were significantly decreased in [PDT] group compared with [ST] group. Perioperative complications were significantly more in the [ST] group. The overall outcome was favorable with the [PDT] group compared with the [ST] group