RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Tracheostomy is a commonly performed procedure. The aim of this study was to assess professional practice, describe patient characteristics and examine short and long-term outcomes. METHODS: All patients with CCAM GEPA004 code were retrospectively included. RESULTS: Two hundred and fourteen (7%) patients who were mecanically ventilated had a tracheostomy performed in intensive care unit (ICU). Median time to tracheostomy was 22 (14-28) days. In total, 95.3% of tracheostomy procedures were surgical. Median age was 58 (48-67) years. Eighty-three (38.8%) tracheostomies were performed for respiratory reasons. Twenty-eight-day and 90-day mortality were 4.2% and 35.5%. One-year mortality was 52.4%. Patients with tracheostomies performed for weaning from mechanical ventilation had a higher mortality rate. After ICU discharge, mortality rate was 29.8% and was higher in non-decannulated patients. Patient characteristics, timing, technique, indication and outcomes were stable over the years. CONCLUSION: Young patients weaning from mechanical ventilation were more likely to receive a tracheostomy. More than half died during the first year. Patients discharged from ICU with a tracheostomy tube in place had higher mortality rate.