Videobronchoscopic guidance makes percutaneous dilational tracheostomy safer

Percutaneous dilational tracheostomy (PDT) can be performed under either conventional bronchoscopic or videobronchoscopic guidance. Only the latter procedure provides the surgeon with direct visual information. This study prospectively assessed procedural parameters and complications of PDT guided by conventional bronchoscopy (CB) or videobronchoscopy (VB).

Consecutive intensive care unit (ICU) patients who underwent PDT were enrolled in this study. Videobronchoscopy was available in two ICUs, whereas CB was available in three ICUs. Demographic data, procedural variables, and complications were recorded.

In this study, 36 patients underwent PDT guided by VB (group V), and 38 patients underwent PDT guided by CB (group C). The two groups were well matched in terms of gender, anatomic aspects, and positioning of the patient. Operating time, procedural difficulty, and extent of tracheal bleeding were not different between the two groups. Group V showed a tendency to younger age (p = 0.055). Surgeons significantly more often considered PTD to be "completely safe" in group V (92% vs 61% in group C). The skin incisions were smaller (p = 0.003), and the extent of stomal bleeding was less (p = 0.001). Complications were tendentiously less frequent in group V (5.5%) than in group C (23.7%; p = 0.062).

The surgeon performing PDT guided by VB has a higher degree of safety, resulting in less bleeding than with PDT guided by CB.