Open tracheotomy in the intensive care unit

Abstract

Introduction: Patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) requiring tracheotomy (TQT) can be operated by a percutaneous technique, or open in operating room or directly in the ICU bed. There is no consensus in the literature on which procedure has fewer complications. Aim: Describe open tracheotomy performed in the Barros Luco Hospital in 2007 and complications of open tracheostomy in the ICU is compared with those in the operating room from 2006 to May 2008. Material and method: Retrospective, descriptive study of the review of medical re­cords of 93 patients who an open tracheostomy was performed in 2007. Another analyti- cal from 2006 to May 2008 with a sample of the procedure performed in the ICU and the operating room with “n” of 50 per group. Results: In 2007, 98.8% of the TQT were performed by otolaryngologists. 30.11% were performed in the ICU, and 86.40% the first surgeon was a resident under super- vision. In the comparison group there were no intraoperative complications, and no statistically significant differences in postoperative complications. Conclusions: No statistically significant differences in the frequency of complica- tions between groups. The open tracheostomy in the ICU is a valid and safe procedure.