[Late complications after tracheotomy in the nursing home]

Advances in modern intensive care have led to a sharp increase in the number of tracheotomies performed in intensive care units. In contrast to surgical epithelial tracheostomy (ST), a less sturdy stoma is created by means of percutaneous dilation of tracheotomy (PDT). The advantages of a PDT compared to ST are the simpler logistical efforts, associated cost reduction and minimally invasive nature of the process. However, due to variability in airway management, late complications can cause problems, especially in nursing homes.

Nursing facilities were given a standardized questionnaire which included information about patient type, tracheotomy type, cannula management protocol, TK management protocol, type of complications occuring at the tracheostoma as well as frequency.

Nearly 66 % of the patients were treated with PDT. The complication rates of PDT patients were statistically and significantly higher for all observed complication types compared to the group of patients receiving ST care. 80 % of patients treated with PDT required readmission to clinic for tracheostoma revision, versus 23 % in the ST-patients.

A PDT places special demands on the nursing staff in postoperative aftercare. The decision as to which form of tracheotomy is best suited to a particular patient should be made with a multidisciplinary team and depending on the indication. Given the probable long-term nature of the tracheotomy, a surgical tracheostomy should be the therapy of first choice.