Elective percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy. A new simple bedside procedure; preliminary report

Area of Science:

• Surgical Innovation
• Respiratory Medicine
• Minimally Invasive Procedures

Background:

• Traditional tracheostomy carries risks of immediate and postoperative complications.
• Development of percutaneous techniques aims to improve patient safety and procedural outcomes.
• Prior experience with 134 tracheostomies informed the evolution of this new method.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a novel percutaneous subcricoid tracheostomy technique.
• To detail the technique, patient material, and initial outcomes.
• To evaluate the safety and efficacy compared to standard tracheostomy.

Main Methods:

• A J-guide wire is inserted via cannula into the tracheal lumen.
• Tapered dilators follow the guide wire to enlarge the tracheal opening.
• A tracheostomy tube is advanced over a dilator between the cricoid cartilage and first tracheal ring.

Main Results:

• 26 percutaneous subcricoid tracheostomies performed on 24 patients.
• No significant intraoperative or postoperative complications reported to date.
• The technique appears to reduce the severity and incidence of complications.

Conclusions:

• The percutaneous subcricoid tracheostomy is a promising alternative to standard tracheostomy.
• Early results suggest reduced intraoperative complication rates.
• Further evaluation with a larger patient population and longer follow-up is ongoing.