STUDY OBJECTIVES To determine the patency of standard and modified Portex tracheostomy tubes inserted by the percutaneous dilatational technique. DESIGN Prospective observational study. SETTING Medical-surgical ICUs in a tertiary care community hospital. PATIENTS Medical-surgical ICU patients requiring tracheostomy. INTERVENTIONS Consecutive medical-surgical ICU patients requiring trach...

Tracheostomy tubes are used to administer positive-pressure ventilation, to provide a patent airway, and to provide access to the lower respiratory tract for airway clearance. They are available in a variety of sizes and styles from several manufacturers. The dimensions of tracheostomy tubes are given by their inner diameter, outer diameter, length, and curvature. Differences in dimensions betw...

Tracheostomy is a common critical care procedure in patients with acute respiratory failure who require prolonged mechanical ventilatory support. Tracheostomy usually is considered if weaning from mechanical ventilation has been unsuccessful for 14 to 21 days. A recent clinical trial suggested that early tracheostomy may benefit patients who are not improving and who are expected to require pro...

Tracheostomy is one of the most commonly performed procedures in the ICU. Despite the frequency of the procedure, there remains controversy regarding selection of patients who should undergo tracheostomy, the optimal technique, timing of placement and decannulation, as well as impact on outcome associated with the procedure. A growing body of literature demonstrates that percutaneous tracheost...

BACKGROUND AND METHODS Tracheostomy is a common procedure in intensive care patient management. The aim of this study was to capture the practice of tracheostomy in Intensive Care Units in the United Kingdom. A postal survey was sent to the lead clinicians of 228 general intensive care units (ICUs) throughout the United Kingdom excluding specialist units. We aimed to identify the current practi...

Percutaneous tracheostomy is being used increasingly in the intensive care unit and endoscopic control of this procedure affords an improved level of safety. Training in such new minimal access techniques can be a significant risk factor in patient outcome. Surgical simulation provides training which minimizes this risk. We present a method of training in percutaneous endoscopic tracheostomy us...

Tracheostomy is one of the most frequent procedures carried out in critically ill patients with major advantages compared to translaryngeal endotracheal intubation such as reduced laryngeal anatomical alterations, reduced inspiratory load, better patient's tolerance and nursing. Thus, tracheostomy can enhance patient's care in patients who need prolonged mechanical ventilation and/or control of...

Introduction Tracheostomy is the commonest surgical procedure in intensive care units (ICUs). It not only provides stable airway and facilitates pulmonary toilet and ventilator weaning, but also decreases the direct laryngeal injury of endotracheal intubation, and improves patient comfort and daily living activity. Objective The objective of this study is to assess the incidence, indications, t...

Introduction Tracheostomy is commonly performed in critically ill patients with the objective of increasing comfort and shortening the duration of sedation, mechanical ventilation, and intensive care stay [1]. As the percutaneous technique has become widely available, the earlier use of tracheostomy has become commonplace [2,3]. Consequently, there is ongoing debate about the benefits of early ...