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Tracheotomy and the intensive care unit patient
D E Henrich1, W R Blythe, M C Weissler
1Department of Surgery, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA.
The Laryngoscope
|July 1, 1997
Summary
Transporting intensive care unit (ICU) patients to the operating room for tracheotomy does not increase complication risks. Standard surgical tracheotomy in the OR is safe and should be the benchmark for comparison.
Area of Science:
- Medicine
- Surgery
- Critical Care
Background:
- Transportation of intensive care unit (ICU) patients to the operating room (OR) for tracheotomy is often cited as a source of complications.
- This claim lacks substantial supporting evidence in the medical literature.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the complication rate associated with transporting ICU patients to the OR for tracheotomy.
- To compare complication rates between ICU and non-ICU patients undergoing tracheotomy.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 100 consecutive ICU patients transported to the OR for tracheotomy.
- Comparison with 109 tracheotomies performed on non-ICU patients.
Main Results:
- No complications were attributed to the transportation of ICU patients to the OR.
- Five complications occurred in total, unrelated to transport; these included two pneumothoraces and three minor tracheotomy-related issues (peristomal cellulitis, tracheitis, minor hemorrhage).
- All complications were minor and resolved without adverse sequelae.
Conclusions:
- Patient transportation from the ICU to the OR for tracheotomy does not appear to increase complication risks.
- The safety and efficacy of standard surgical tracheotomy in the OR setting should be considered the benchmark for evaluating other tracheotomy procedures.