A Surgical Audit of Tracheostomy

To study the magnitude of tracheostomy, its various indications and complications. Prospective Observational Study. A Prospective Observational study was carried out on 640 patients with various indications of tracheostomy admitted in ENT or referred from other departments for tracheostomy from July 2015 to March 2022. The epidemiological data regarding their age, sex, symptoms, indication and complications of tracheostomy were recorded. Necessary interventions were done as and when required. Patients ranged from 6 months to 86 yrs. Assisted ventilation was the most common indications for tracheostomy (68.125%, n = 436). The most common complication was subcutaneous emphysema (10.625%, n = 68) followed by tube displacement (5.625%, n = 36. The complication rate was 21.25% and the mortality rate 4.375% (n = 28) with specific mortality rate 0.625% (n = 4). Tracheostomy is one of the commonest surgeries. Data was collected from this study on the various indications of tracheostomy, the epidemiological factors and various complications associated with tracheostomy. Such a data is useful to learn from the mistakes and carry forward the virtouosity.