Indication, complication, and prognosis of fiberoptic bronchoscopy guided percutaneous dilatation tracheostomy opening in respiratory intensive care unit: a retrospective study

K. Uluç, E.A. Öngel, N.K. İlkaya, Ö. Devran, H.K. Özçelik

Department of Intensive Care, Yedikule Chest Diseases and Thoracic Surgery Training and Research Hospital, Health Sciences University, Istanbul, Turkey. kamuranuluc@hotmail.com

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• Intensive Care

OBJECTIVE: Percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT) is a bedside applicable procedure in intensive care unit patients requiring long-term mechanical ventilation. Fiber optic bronchoscopy (FOB) makes it easier and reduces complications. Our study aimed to evaluate the indications, complications, and prognosis of PDTs performed with FOB.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Our study included 114 patients undergoing PDT through FOB-guided Griggs method in the Respiratory Intensive Care Unit between January 01, 2018, and January 31, 2023.

RESULTS: Among the patients undergoing PDT with FOB, 81 (71.1%) were male. The mean age was 62.1±11.5. The median Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score was 9, the median Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation-II (APACHE-II) score was 19, and the median Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score was 8. Tracheostomy was opened for prolonged mechanical-ventilator requirement in 80 patients (70.2%), to protect the airway in 19 (16.7%), and for poor neurologic status in 15 patients (13.2%). Complications during the procedure included hypoxemia in 3 patients (2.6%), minor bleeding in 3 patients (2.6%), perforation of the FOB in one patient (0.8%), and perforation of the intubation tube cuff in one patient (0.8%). 79 patients (69.3%) were discharged, and 35 (30.7%) were exited. There was a significant difference between the GCS, APACHE-II, and SOFA scores of the patients discharged and those who exited (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: FOB-guided PDT application should be encouraged as it reduces complications but it is still limited because it requires experienced specialists and equipment for a standard approach.

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