Percutaneous dilational tracheotomy in solid-organ transplant recipients

Area of Science:

• Medicine
• Surgery
• Critical Care

Background:

• Pulmonary complications significantly impact solid-organ transplant recipient outcomes.
• Prolonged mechanical ventilation is often necessary for critically ill transplant patients.
• Limited data exists on percutaneous dilational tracheotomy (PDT) in this population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of PDT in solid-organ transplant recipients.
• To assess early and late complications associated with PDT in this patient group.
• To determine functional and cosmetic outcomes post-PDT.

Main Methods:

• Five solid-organ transplant recipients (2 kidney, 2 liver, 1 heart) underwent bedside PDT.
• The Griggs forceps dilational technique was used under endoscopic guidance.
• Patients required prolonged mechanical ventilation due to acute respiratory failure.

Main Results:

• The mean duration of endotracheal intubation before PDT was 4 days.
• Only transient hypoxemia and mild bleeding were observed as early complications.
• No late complications or procedure-related deaths occurred.
• Excellent functional and cosmetic outcomes were noted in survivors.

Conclusions:

• PDT is a safe and effective airway management technique for solid-organ transplant recipients.
• The procedure is associated with minimal complications in this vulnerable patient group.
• PDT is recommended for prolonged airway management in solid-organ transplant recipients.