Research Article - Otolaryngology Online Journal (2018) Volume 8, Issue 4

Is Percutaneous Tracheostomy Safe in Critically Ill Patients: A Retrospective Analysis

Objective: Percutaneous tracheostomy (PCT) is a commonly performed procedure in critically ill patients. It is used mainly to assist weaning from mechanical ventilation that arises from pneumonia refractory to treatment, severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, acute respiratory distress syndrome, severe brain injury, or multiple organ system dysfunctions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability and outcomes of the PCT performed via Griggs’ technique in our intensive care unit.

Methods and Materials: The records of 182 patients who underwent PCT in the intensive care unit (ICU) by Griggs’ technique between April 2011- February 2018 were analyzed retrospectively. Demographic data, diagnoses of patients, duration of the procedures and percutaneous tracheostomy complications were evaluated.

Results: The mean age was 62.12 ± 12.62. Obesity was present in 12 (6.59%), short neck in 30 (16.48%), high FiO2 requirement in 48 (26.37%), PEEP requirement in 40 (21.97%) of the patients. The average time taken for PCT was 6.98 ± 1.8. Totally 54.94% of the patients were found at high risk. Minor complications were seen in 27 patients. Three patients required conversion into open tracheostomy.

Conclusions: PCT offers many advantages in terms of improving patient life quality, facilitating weaning of patients from the mechanical ventilator, and providing clearance of pulmonary secretions by reducing pulmonary dead-spaces. PCT via Griggs tecnique is a reliable procedure with lower complication rates and safely can be performed in high risk patients with minimal complication rates.

Author(s): Ebru Tarikci Kilic, Mehmet Salim Akdemir, Ali Ihsan Sert

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