[Fiberoptic bronchoscopy assisted percutaneous tracheostomy: report of 100 patients]

Development of percutaneous techniques for tracheostomy have facilitated its implementation in the intensive care unit (ICU).

To evaluate the safety of performing percutaneous tracheostomy (PT) using the Ciaglia Blue Rhino technique with fiberoptic bronchoscopy assistance in patients with prolonged mechanical ventilation.

Prospective evaluation of 100 consecutive patients aged 62+/-16 years (38 women) subjected to percutaneous tracheostomy. All the procedures were performed in the ICU. Demographic variables, APACHE II, days of mechanical ventilation before PT, operative and post-operative complications were recorded.

Mean APACHE II score was 20+/-3. Patients required on average 16+/-7 days of mechanical ventilation before PT. Eight patients (8%) had operative complications. One had an episode of transitory desaturation, one had a transitory hypotension related to sedation and six had mild bleeding not requiring transfusion. No patient required conversion to surgical tracheostomy. Four patients (4%) presented post-operative complications. Two had a mild and transitory bleeding of the ostomy and two had a displacement of the cannula. No other complications were observed.

PT using the Ciaglia Blue Rhino technique with fiberoptic bronchoscopy assistance is a safe procedure that can be performed in the ICU by trained intensivists.