Neither Skin Sutures nor Foam Dressing Use Affect Tracheostomy Complication Rates

Tracheostomy is commonly used for managing the airway of trauma patients. Complications are common and result in increased length of stays and treatment cost. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether the utilization of skin sutures or foam barrier dressings affect tracheostomy complication rates.

This is a single-center retrospective review of patients who underwent a tracheostomy by the trauma service between January 2014 and December 2017. Collected variables included demographics, patient history, treatment variables, complications, and outcomes. Univariate and multivariate analyses were constructed to identify significant predictors for the development of complications.

A total of 268 patients were included. The median age was 43.5 y, 221 (82.5%) patients were men, and the median BMI was 28 (IQR 24.6, 32.2). Most (87.3%) of the procedures were performed in the operating room and 82.5% were open. Skin sutures were used in 46.3% and 53.4% had a foam barrier dressing placed. Current smoking [OR 8.1 (95% CI 1.5, 43.6)] and BMI [OR 1.1 (95% CI 1.03, 1.2)] significantly increased the risk of developing pressure necrosis. Use of sutures or foam dressings was not associated with pressure necrosis, bleeding, or surgical site infection. There were no unexpected tracheostomy decannulations regardless of the use of skin sutures.

Suturing the tracheostomy or applying a foam barrier dressing was not associated with overall complications or decannulation rates. Based on our data, we suggest that skin sutures may be safely abandoned.