[Percutaneous dilatative tracheostomy as a new method in intensive medicine. Procedure, advantages and risks].
OBJECTIVE
Percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT) is a recently developed method to obtain endotracheal access, also at the bed-side, in ventilated patients. The procedure is described and results are presented.


METHODS
PDT was performed in 112 patients (82 men, 30 women, average age 50.7 years) between 1.5. 1994 and 31.5. 1996, in all cases expected to require more than 10 days of assisted ventilation. All complications, late sequelae and cosmetic results after decannulation were analysed.


RESULTS
No serious complications were noted during the procedure. Erroneous puncture occurred in nine patients, but were corrected without problem. Complications necessitating temporary interruption of the tracheostomy consisted of accidental extubation and ventilatory problems (two patients each). There were no late sequelae and the cosmetic results were judged to be very good.


CONCLUSIONS
PDT is a simple and relatively easily learned procedure. It has a low complication rate, late sequelae are very rare and cosmetic results after closure of the tracheostomy are excellent.
Treu
T M
TM
Klinik für Anästhesiologie und Intensivmedizin, Klinikums Neubrandenburg. Th.Treu.Nbg@t-online.de
Knoch
M
M
Focke
N
N
Schulz
M
M
D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods*; D004106:Dilatation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D014139:Tracheostomy / Q000379:methods*