Tracheostomy in the ICU: hope or delusion?

Introduction: Current literature suggests that tracheostomy has no impact on survival in unselected intensive care unit (ICU) patients, and that it actually transfers mortality from ICU to the ward. Methods: Data from 71 adult subjects who underwent tracheostomy as part of their ICU management and were subsequently transferred to the ward were obtained retrospectively. Results: During 2015, 104 subjects received tracheostomy. Thirty-two died during their initial ICU admission (30.4%) and were excluded from analysis. Of the remaining 73 individuals, 28 died (38.3%) in hospital. Most common diagnoses were sepsis (33.8%) and neurological emergencies (23.9%). Life-sustaining treatments were withheld or withdrawn in 25 decedents. Seven subjects died in later hospitalizations at our institution over the period recorded. Conclusions: Tracheostomy may represent a burden after ICU discharge, involving high resource use and low survival rate. Efforts should be made to recognize patients who might clearly benefit from this technique to avoid unwanted prolonged mechanical ventilation. (AU)

Predictores de éxito después de la decanulación en pacientes adultos críticamente enfermos: un estudio de cohorte retrospectivo / Success predictors after decannulation in critically ill adult patients: a retrospective cohort study

Introducción: la traqueostomía es una práctica frecuente dentro de las unidades de cuidados intensivos (UCI). El proceso de decanulación y el tiempo utilizado en ella resultan de interés clínico, mientras que los factores asociados al proceso y la dificultad en dicho proceso han sido poco estudiados. Objetivos: describir características clínicas y epidemiológicas de la población en estudio y su evolución desde el momento del ingreso en la UCI hasta el alta hospitalaria. Informar la incidencia de fallo de decanulación y analizar los factores de riesgo independientes asociados a la imposibilidad de esta. Materiales y métodos: estudio observacional de cohorte retrospectivo de pacientes internados en la UCI del Hospital Italiano de San Justo Agustín Rocca que requirieron traqueostomía durante su estadía. Utilizando la historia clínica informatizada se registraron variables epidemiológicas previas al ingreso en la UCI y datos evolutivos durante la internación. El período analizado fue desde el 5 de enero de 2016 hasta el 17 de diciembre de 2017. Se utilizaron modelos de regresión logística para la evaluación de potenciales predictores. Resultados: se reclutaron 50 pacientes, y todos fueron incluidos en el presente análisis. La edad promedio fue de 66 años (desvío estándar [DE] ± 15,5) y el 66% fueron hombres. El 42% fue decanulado durante el seguimiento. La incidencia en el fallo de decanulación fue del 4,77% (intervalo de confianza [IC] 95% 0,85-22,67). La mediana de tiempo hasta la decanulación desde la desvinculación de la asistencia ventilatoria fue de 17 días. En el análisis univariado hubo diferencias estadísticamente significativas en tipo de diagnóstico de ingreso en UCI y en el alta vivo hospitalaria al comparar pacientes decanulados versus no decanulados. En el análisis multivariado de regresión logística se halló el tipo de diagnóstico de ingreso en UCI como predictor independiente de imposibilidad de decanulación. Conclusiones: el motivo de ingreso clínico en UCI fue un factor predictor independiente asociado al fracaso de la decanulación y esto, posiblemente, está relacionado con la condición clínica y el estado general al ingreso, en comparación con los pacientes que ingresaron por causas quirúrgicas. No se hallaron comorbilidades ni antecedentes que se relacionen con el fracaso de la decanulación. (AU)

Introduction: the tracheostomy remains a very common surgical procedure done in the intensive care unit (ICU). The process of decannulation is of scientific interest with its associated factors not being sufficiently studied. Objectives: to describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of the population and their relationship to effective decanulation. To report the cumulative incidence of decannulation failure and success. To analyze independent risk factors associated with decannulation failure. Materials and methods: the present was a retrospective cohort of adult patients in the ICU at Hospital Italiano de San Justo who required tracheostomy during their in-hospital stay. Epidemiological variables were recorded before ICU admission and during their hospital stay using data from the electronic medical record. The inclusion period was 2 years long. We used descriptive statistics and logistic regression models to compare the proportion of patients who could be decannulated versus those who could not. Results: 50 patients were enrolled in the present study. Their mean age was 66 (±15.5) years and 66% of patients were male. 21 patients (42%) achieved to be decannulated. The cumulative incidence of decannulation failure was 4.77% (95% CI: 0.85-22.87). Median time from weaning to decannulation was 17 days. In univariate analysis, statistically significant differences were found in ICU admission diagnosis (p<0.001) and hospital discharge alive (p<0.001) when comparing decannulated versus not decannulated patients. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, ICU admission diagnosis was found to be an independent predictor of decannulation failure (p<0.01). Conclusions: clinical ICU admission diagnosis was an independent predictor associated with decannulation failure. This could be related to differences in baseline morbidity and clinical condition of these patients compared with surgical patients. However, no individual morbidities or clinical conditions were found to be associated in decannulation failure. (AU)

Complicaciones de traqueostomía en pacientes pediátricos: revisión de la literatura / Complications of tracheostomy in pediatric patients: literature review

RESUMEN Las indicaciones de traqueostomía en niños han cambiado considerablemente en los últimos años, así como el perfil epidemiológico de los pacientes y la morbimortalidad de este procedimiento. Las complicaciones de este procedimiento pueden ser clasificadas en intraoperatorias, inmediatas y tardías. La mortalidad global en pacientes pediátricos llevados a traqueostomía oscila entre el 13% y 19%. Sin embargo, menos del 5% es directamente atribuible a la cirugía. La presente revisión abarcará las complicaciones más frecuentes asociadas a traqueostomía pediátrica con recomendaciones en su prevención y manejo.

ABSTRACT Indications of tracheostomy in children have changed considerably in recent years, as well as the epidemiological profile of patients, and morbidity and mortality related to this procedure. Complications of pediatric tracheostomy can be classified into intraoperative, immediate and late. Overall mortality in pediatric patients with tracheostomy ranges from 13% to 19%. However, less than 5% is directly attributable to tracheostomy. This review will cover the most frequent complications associated with pediatric tracheostomy with recommendations for its prevention and management.

Tracheostomy in childhood: review of the literature on complications and mortality over the last three decades / Traqueostomia na infância: revisão da literatura sobre complicações e mortalidade nas últimas três décadas

Abstract Introduction: Tracheostomy is a procedure with unique characteristics when used on pediatric patients due to the greater technical difficulty and higher morbidity and mortality rates relative to the procedure in adults. In recent decades, there have been significant changes in the medical care available to children, particularly for those who need intensive care. Surgical conditions have also improved, and there has been an advent of new equipment and medications. These advances have brought changes to both tracheostomy indications and tracheostomy complications. Objective: To perform a review of the articles published over the last three decades on the complications and mortality associated with tracheostomies in children. Methods: Articles were selected from the Cochrane, Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature, SciELO, National Library of Medicine (Medline Plus), and PubMed online databases. The articles selected had been published between January 1985 and December 2014, and the data was compared using the Chi-square test. Results: A total of 3797 articles were chosen, 47 of which were used as the basis for this review. When the three decades were evaluated as a whole, an increase in tracheostomies in male children under one year of age was found. The most common complications during the period analyzed in descending order of frequency were granuloma, infection, and obstruction of the cannula, accidental decannulation, and post-decannulation tracheocutaneous fistula. In the second and third decades of the review, granulomas represented the most common complication; in the first decade of the review, pneumothoraces were the most common. Mortality associated with tracheostomy ranged from 0% to 5.9%, while overall mortality ranged from 2.2% to 59%. In addition, the review included four studies on premature and/or very underweight infants who had undergone tracheostomies; the studies reported evidence of higher mortality in this age group to be largely associated with underlying diseases. Conclusion: Improved surgical techniques and intensive care, the creation of new medications, and vaccines have all redefined the main complications and the mortality rates of tracheostomy in children. It is a safe procedure that increases chances of survival in those who require the prolonged use of mechanical ventilation.

Resumo Introdução: A traqueostomia é um procedimento com características exclusivas em pacientes pediátricos devido à maior dificuldade técnica e às maiores taxas de morbidade e mortalidade em relação ao procedimento em adultos. Nas últimas décadas, houve mudanças significativas na assistência médica às crianças, especialmente para aquelas que necessitam de cuidados intensivos. As condições cirúrgicas também melhoraram e houve um advento de novos equipamentos e medicamentos. Esses avanços trouxeram mudanças tanto nas indicações de traqueostomia como nas suas complicações. Objetivo: Realizar uma revisão dos artigos publicados nas últimas três décadas sobre as complicações e a mortalidade em crianças submetidas à traqueostomia. Método: Os artigos foram pesquisados nas bases de dados online da Cochrane, Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature (Lilacs), SciELO, National Library of Medicine (Medline Plus) e PubMed. Os artigos selecionados foram publicados entre janeiro de 1985 e dezembro de 2014 e os dados foram comparados com uso de teste do qui-quadrado. Resultados: Foram selecionados 3.797 artigos, 47 dos quais foram usados como base para esta revisão. Quando as três décadas foram avaliadas como um todo, encontrou-se um aumento das traqueostomias em crianças do sexo masculino com menos de um ano. As complicações mais comuns no período analisado, em ordem decrescente de frequência, foram granuloma, infecção, obstrução da cânula, decanulação acidental e fístula traqueocutânea pós-decanulação. Na segunda e terceira décadas de revisão, os granulomas representaram a complicação mais comum; na primeira década da revisão, pneumotórax foi a mais comum. A mortalidade associada à traqueostomia variou de 0% a 5,9%, enquanto que a mortalidade global variou de 2,2% a 59%. Além disso, a revisão incluiu quatro estudos sobre lactentes prematuros e/ou nascidos com muito baixo peso submetidos à traqueostomia; os estudos mostraram que a mortalidade nessa faixa etária é decorrente associada a doenças subjacentes. Conclusão: A melhoria das técnicas cirúrgicas e de cuidados intensivos e a criação de medicamentos e vacinas redefiniram as principais complicações e as taxas de mortalidade da traqueostomia em crianças.

Indicaciones, hallazgos broncoscópicos y mortalidad en pacientes pediátricos con traqueostomía en un hospital de México / Indications, bronchoscopic findings and mortality in pediatric patients with tracheostomy in a Mexican hospital

INTRODUCTION. Tracheostomy is an old surgical procedure, wich is currwently performed, in pediatric patients. Bronchoscopy is an effective procedure to follow these patients as it reveals data that can not be obtained with other methods. The aim of this study was to determine indications, bronchoscopic findings and mortality in patients with tracheostomy at the Hospital del Niño Morelense (HNM). in addiction, we sought to detail the role of bronchoscopy in patients follow-up. METHODS. Observational, descriptive and transversal study. We reviewed the records of the patients with tracheostomy during 5 years looking for bronchoscopic findings. RESULTS: The main indication for tracheostomy was prolonged ventilation (74.4 percent). The main bronchoscopic diagnoses were subglottic stenosis (20 percent), granulomas in the trachea (70 percent), and in bronchi abnormal secretions (70 percent) mortality was 32.5 percent. CONCLUSIONS: The main indication for tracheostomy is prolonged ventuilation. Mortality in children with tracheostomy depends mainly on the underlying pathology. Bronchospy is useful for monitoring the child with a tracheostomy

INTRODUCCIÓN. La traqueostomía es un procedimiento quirúrgico antiguo, que se realiza en pediatría cada vez con mayor frecuencia. La broncoscopía es un procedimiento efectivo para el seguimiento del paciente con traqueostomía ya que nos revela datos que no se pueden obtener con otros métodos. Se tuvo como objetios determinar indicaciones, hallazgos broncoscópicos y mortalidad en pacientes con traqueostomía, en el Hospital del Niño Morelense (HNM). MÉTODOS. Estudio observacional, descriptivo y transversal. Se revisaron los expedientes de los pacientes a quienes se les realizó traqueostomía durante 5 años buscando hallazgos broncoscópicos. RESULTADOS. La principal indicación de traqueostomía fue la ventilación prolongada (74 por ciento). Los principales diagnósticos broncoscópicos fueron: estenosis subglótica (20 por ciento), granulomas en tráquea (70 por ciento) y en bronquios secreciones anormales (70 por ciento). La mortalidad fue de 32.5 por ciento. CONCLUSIONES. la principal indicación para traqueostomía fue la ventilación prolongada. la mortalidad en niños con traqueostomía depende principalmente de la patología subyacente. La broncoscopía es útil para el seguimiento del niño con traqueostomía

Traqueostomía pediátrica: análisis de diez años en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos del Hospital Pediátrico Docente de Sancti Spíritus José Martí / Pediatric tracheostomy: a ten-year analysis in the Intensive Care Unit of Sancti Spiritus José Martí Pediatric Teaching Hospital

Fundamento En los últimos 20 años ha habido un cambio considerable en el rol de la traqueostomía en la edad pediátrica. La obstrucción de la vía aérea superior secundaria a infecciones dejó de constituir la causa más común de traqueostomía en el niño. Asimismo, las alteraciones estructurales de la vía aérea superior y la necesidad de asistencia ventilatoria prolongada o crónica se han convertido en las indicaciones más frecuentes de traqueostomías pediátricas.Objetivo Determinar la incidencia de la traqueostomía en nuestro medio, sus principales indicaciones, complicaciones e influencia en la mortalidad. MetodologíaSe realizó un estudio descriptivo retrospectivo de los pacientes que requirieron traqueostomía en la unidad de cuidados intensivos pediátricos del Hospital Pediátrico Docente José Martí de Sancti Spíritus, Cuba, en un período de diez años, desde 1999 hasta 2008. Resultados Fue necesario practicar traqueostomía a 14 (0,5 por ciento) pacientes del total de ingresados durante ese período, de ellos 9 (64,2 por ciento) eran menores de un año. La indicación más frecuente fue la necesidad de ventilación mecánica prolongada asociada a patología neurológica con 10 (71,42 por ciento) casos. Las malformaciones e infecciones agudas de las vías aéreas superiores constituyeron indicaciones poco frecuentes. Las principales complicaciones que se presentaron fueron infección en 10 (71,4 por ciento) casos y la obstrucción en 4 (28,5 por ciento), siendo aislados más comúnmente la Pseudomonas aeruginosa en seis (60 por ciento), el Staphylococcus aureus en tres (30 por ciento), la Klebsiella pneumoniae en tres (30 por ciento) y el Enterobacter cloacae en tres (30 por ciento). Además, cuatro (28,5 por ciento) pacientes fueron decanulados exitosamente, fallecieron cinco (35,7 por ciento) y sólo en uno (7,14 por ciento) la causa se relacionó con la traqueostomía.

Introduction There has been a significant change in the role of pediatric tracheostomy over the last twenty years. Obstruction of the upper airway caused by infectious agents is no longer the leading cause of tracheostomy in children. Structural anomalies of the upper airway as well as the need for prolonged ventilator assistance have become the most frequent indication for pediatric tracheostomy. ObjectiveThe purpose of this paper is to assess the incidence, indications, complications, and role in mortality of tracheostomy in our pediatric population. MethodsA retrospective descriptive study of pediatric patients who underwent tracheostomy was conducted between 1999 and 2008 in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit of the José Martí de Sancti Spiritus Pediatric Teaching Hospital in Cuba. Results Tracheostomy was performed in 14 patients during the period of the study (0.5 percent of admitted patients). Nine of them (64.2 percent) were younger than one year. The most frequent indication for the procedure was the need for prolonged mechanical ventilation in patients with neurologic disorders in 10 patients (71.42 percent). Upper airway malformations and acute infections were infrequent indications for tracheostomy. The most frequent complications were infectious in 10 patients (71.4 percent) and obstruction in four patients (28.5 percent). The following germs were found: Pseudomona aeruginosa in six patients (60 percent), Staphylococcus aureus in three patients (30 percent), and Enterobacter cloacae in three patients (30 percent). Furthermore, four patients were successfully decannulated (28.5 percent), five patients died (35.7 percent) but only in one (7.14 percent), death could be attributed to tracheostomy. Conclusion The need for prolonged mechanical ventilation in patients with neurologic disorders was the main indication for tracheostomy in our pediatric population; most of these children were younger than one year. The procedure had little.

Traqueostomia precoce versus traqueostomia tardia em pacientes com lesão cerebral aguda grave / Early versus late tracheostomy in patients with acute severe brain injury

OBJETIVO: Comparar os efeitos da traqueostomia precoce e da traqueostomia tardia em pacientes com lesão cerebral aguda grave. MÉTODOS: Estudo retrospectivo com 28 pacientes admitidos na UTI do Hospital Universitário da Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora com diagnóstico de lesão cerebral aguda grave e apresentando escore na escala de coma de Glasgow (ECG) < 8 nas primeiras 48 h de internação. Os pacientes foram divididos em dois grupos: traqueostomia precoce (TP), realizada em até 8 dias; e traqueostomia tardia (TT), realizada após 8 dias. Dados demográficos e os escores Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II, ECG e Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) do dia da admissão foram coletados. RESULTADOS: Não houve diferenças significativas em relação aos dados demográficos ou aos escores coletados nos grupos TP e TT: APACHE II (26 ± 6 vs. 28 ± 8; p = 0,37), SOFA (6,3 ± 2,7 vs. 7,2 ± 3,0; p = 0,43) e ECG (5,4 ± 1,7 vs. 5,5 ± 1,7; p = 0,87). A mortalidade em 28 dias foi menor no grupo TP (9 por cento vs. 47 por cento; p = 0,04). Pneumonia nosocomial precoce (até 7 dias) foi menos frequente no grupo TP, mas essa diferença não foi significativa (0 por cento vs. 23 por cento, p = 0,13). Não houve diferenças em relação à ocorrência de pneumonia tardia ou ao tempo de ventilação mecânica entre os grupos. CONCLUSÕES: Baseado nesses achados, a traqueostomia precoce deve ser considerada em pacientes com lesão cerebral aguda grave.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of early tracheostomy and of late tracheostomy in patients with acute severe brain injury. METHODS: A retrospective study involving 28 patients admitted to the ICU of the Federal University of Juiz de Fora University Hospital in Juiz de Fora, Brazil, diagnosed with acute severe brain injury and presenting with a Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score < 8 within the first 48 h of hospitalization. The patients were divided into two groups: early tracheostomy (ET), performed within the first 8 days after admission; and late tracheostomy (LT), performed after postadmission day 8. At admission, we collected demographic data and determined the following scores: Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II, GCS and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA). RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the groups (ET vs. LT) regarding the demographic data or the scores: APACHE II (26 ± 6 vs. 28 ± 8; p = 0.37), SOFA (6.3 ± 2.7 vs. 7.2 ± 3.0; p = 0.43) and GCS (5.4 ± 1.7 vs. 5.5 ± 1.7; p = 0.87). The 28-day mortality rate was lower in the ET group (9 percent vs. 47 percent; p = 0.04). Nosocomial pneumonia occurring within the first 7 days was less common in the ET group, although the difference was not significant (0 percent vs. 23 percent; p = 0.13). There were no differences regarding the occurrence of late pneumonia or in the duration of mechanical ventilation between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of these findings, early tracheostomy should be considered in patients with acute severe brain injury.

Outcome Evaluation of patients requiring tracheostomy in an intensive care unit in Trinidad / Evaluación de la Evolución clínica de pacientes que necesitan traqueotomía en una unidad de cuidados intensivos en Trinidad

OBJETIVE: To evaluate the outcome of patients who have undergone a tracheostomy in a multidisciplinary intensive care unit (ICU) and to determine the difference between an early and late tracheostomy. DESIGN AND METHODS: All patients who had tracheostomy in the ICU of The Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Trinidad and Tobago, over a five-year period were retrospectively analysed. Data recorded included demographics, admission diagnoses, Glasgow Coma Score, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score, Paediatric Index of Mortality II score, indication for endotracheal intubation and tracheostomy and the day it was performed, ICU and hospital length of stay and observed mortality. Predicted mortality was calculated. A comparison was made of patients who had tracheostomy before and after ten days following ICU admission. Validation of the prognostic models was done by Receiver Operating Curve (ROC) analysis. RESULTS: One thousand six-hundred and fourteen patients were admitted to ICU during the study period; 51 patients (3%) underwent tracheostomy, of which 48 were studied. The overall mortality was 19.1% and 40.6% in tracheostomised patients. Patients who had tracheostomy within ten days had a significantly lesser predicted mortality and shorter ICU length of stay than those who had it after ten days (p = 0.01). The observed mortality was also significantly less in early-tracheostomised patients (p < 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Tracheostomy should ideally be done within ten days following ICU admission when there is a clear need and indication for the procedure. Further delay may contribute adversely to the ICU morbidity and mortality.

OBJETIVO: Evaluar la evolución clínica de pacientes a los que se le ha practicado la traqueotomía en una unidad de cuidados intensivos (UCI) multidisciplinaria, y determinar la diferencia entre una traqueotomía temprana y una tardía. DISEÑO Y MÉTODOS: Se analizaron retrospectivamente todos los pacientes que tuvieron traqueotomía en la UCI del Complejo de Ciencias Médicas Eric Williams de Trinidad y Tobago, por un período de más de cinco años. Los datos registrados incluían información demográfica, diagnósticos de ingreso, la Puntuación de la Escala de Coma de Glasgow, la Puntuación II para la Evolución de la Salud Crónica y la Fisiología Aguda, la Puntuación II del Índice Pediátrico de Mortalidad, la indicación de la entubación endotraqueal y la traqueotomía, así como el día en que fuera realizada, la UCI y el tiempo de hospitalización, y la mortalidad observada. Se calculó la mortalidad predicha. Se hizo una comparación de los pacientes que tuvieron traqueotomía antes y después de diez días luego de su ingreso a la UCI. Se realizó una validación de los modelos prognósticos mediante el análisis de la curva de las características operativas del receptor (ROC). RESULTADOS: Mil seiscientos catorce pacientes fueron ingresados a la UCI durante el período bajo estudio; a 51 pacientes (3%) les fue practicada la traqueotomía, y de ellos 48 fueron estudiados. La mortalidad fue 19.1% en general y 40.6% en pacientes traqueotomizados. Los pacientes que tuvieron traqueotomía dentro de los diez días tuvieron una mortalidad predicha significativamente menor, y una estadía hospitalaria más corta que los que tuvieron la traqueotomía luego de los diez (p = 0.01). La mortalidad observada fue también significativamente menor en los pacientes traqueotomizados tempranamente (p < 0.02). CONCLUSIONES: La traqueotomía debe realizarse dentro de los diez días posteriores al ingreso a la UCI, cuando la necesidad y la indicación del procedimiento estén claras. Cualquier demora más allá de este límite, puede contribuir de manera adversa a la morbilidad y la mortalidad en la UCI.

Traqueostomia na UTI: vale a pena realizá-la? / Tracheostomy in the ICU: is it worthwhile?

OBJETIVO: Analisar a viabilidade, as complicações e a mortalidade da traqueostomia realizada em ambiente de unidade de terapia intensiva (UTI). MÉTODOS: Análise retrospectiva dos prontuários médicos dos 73 pacientes que foram submetidos à traqueostomia nos leitos das UTIs do Hospital São Paulo da Universidade Federal de São Paulo no período de janeiro a novembro de 2003. Os procedimentos foram realizados sempre por um residente de cirurgia, sob a orientação de um cirurgião torácico, utilizando a técnica aberta sistematizada no serviço. RESULTADOS: A idade média dos pacientes foi de 55,2 anos, sendo que 47 eram do sexo masculino (64,4 por cento) e 26 eram do sexo feminino (35,6 por cento). A indicação mais freqüente foi a intubação orotraqueal prolongada (76,7 por cento). Não houve mortalidade relacionada ao procedimento, e em todos os pacientes o procedimento pôde ser realizado na UTI. As complicações imediatas ocorreram em 2 pacientes (2,7 por cento), nos quais houve sangramento local aumentado que cessou com compressão local. A complicação tardia foi a infecção ao redor da ferida operatória, a qual ocorreu em 2 pacientes (2,7 por cento) e foi tratada com curativos locais, sem maiores repercussões clínicas. CONCLUSÕES: Com base nos resultados de nossa análise, os quais são comparáveis aos resultados sobre traqueostomias realizadas no centro cirúrgico encontrados na literatura, concluímos que a traqueostomia na UTI é viável e apresenta baixo índice de complicações, mesmo quando realizada em pacientes graves por cirurgiões em treinamento. Portanto, a nosso ver, é possível afirmar que vale a pena realizar a traqueostomia na UTI.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the feasibility of performing tracheostomy in the intensive care unit (ICU) environment and to assess procedure-related complications and mortality. METHODS: The medical records of the 73 patients submitted to tracheostomy in the ICU of the Federal University of São Paulo Hospital São Paulo between January and November of 2003 were evaluated retrospectively. All operations were performed by surgical residents, under the supervision of a thoracic surgeon, using the open technique standardized at the facility. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 55.2 years. Of the 73 patients evaluated, 47 (64.4 percent) were male and 26 (35.6 percent) were female. The most common indication was prolonged orotracheal intubation (76.7 percent). There was no procedure-related mortality, and, in all patients, the procedure was successfully performed in the ICU. Early complications occurred in 2 patients (2.7 percent), who presented increased local bleeding, which was controlled using compression. The late complication was infection at the incision site, which occurred in 2 patients (2.7 percent) and was treated by applying local dressings, without further clinical repercussions. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of our analysis, which are comparable to those found in the literature regarding tracheostomy performed in the operating room, we concluded that tracheostomy in the ICU is feasible and presents a low rate of complications, even when performed in critically ill patients and by surgeons in training. Therefore, in our view, it is possible to state that performing tracheostomy in the ICU is worthwhile.