Percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy: A bedside procedure in intensive care unit patients

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and utility of a percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy procedure in intensive care unit patients. Methods: During a 18 month period (1996-1998) elective percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy was performed in 157 critically ill patients in the reanimation unit using one-step dilatation technique with a set of special forceps. In all patients, procedure time, acute and late percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy complications were assessed and the results of each six-month periods were compared. Student's-t and chi-square tests were used for statistical analysis.p0.05 and p0.05). All patients were decannulated succesfully with aesthetic skin scar and only in 1 patients severe tracheal stenosis was occured. Conclusion: In conclusion we decided that percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy was a simple, fast and safe procedure to maintain an artificial airway in critically ill patients. We also suggested that the proper patient selection with the gaining PDT experience should decrease the rate of possible PDT complications.