[Percutaneous dilational tracheostomy: report of 9 cases]

Nine patients with CNS damage who had been transferred to our critical care unit were treated with a commercially available kit for percutaneous dilational tracheostomy (PDT). The mean procedure time was about 11 minutes, and the perioperative complication rate was 22% (2/9). Only one complication, wound infection, occurred, and the patient was cured with conventional therapy. On the other hand, premature extubation of the translaryngeal tube occurred in one case. Long-term complications like tracheal stenosis and tracheal malacia were not experienced in two patients. They were discharged from the hospital after decannulation. In conclusion, the advantages of PDT include a short procedure time, the ability to perform the procedure at the bedside, and reduced stimulation of the trachea. Because of the safety and simplicity of the procedure, we recommend PDT for patients with CNS damage.