Percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy - early results and long-term outcome of 326 critically ill patients

Objective: To analyze perioperative and postoperative complications and long-term sequelae following percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT). Design: A prospective clinical study of patients undergoing PDT. Setting: Seven intensive care units at a University hospital Patients: 326 intensive care patients (202 male, 124 female; age: 11-95 years) with indications for tracheostomy. Interventions: Using tracheoscopic guidance, 337 PDTs were performed according to Ciaglias' method. In 106 decannulated patients, tracheal narrowing was assessed by plain tracheal radiography. Results: Two procedure-related deaths were seen (0.6 %). Perioperative and postoperative complications occurred with 9.5 % of the PDTs. One of 106 patients, who were followed-up for at least 6 months, showed a clinically relevant tracheal stenosis, Subclinical tracheal stenosis of at least 10 % of the cross-sectioned area was recognized in 46 of 106 patients (43.4 %). In the univariate analysis, the degree of stenosis was influenced by the age of the patient (p = 0.044), the duration of intubation prior to PDT (p = 0.042) and by the duration of cannulation (p = 0.006). These parameters had no statistical significance in a multiple regression model. Conclusion: When performed by experienced physicians, percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy under fiberoptic guidance is a safe method. The risks of early complications and of clinically relevant tracheal stenoses are low. Subclinical tracheal stenoses are found in about 40 % of patients following PDT.