Percutaneous tracheostomy.
Percutaneous dilational tracheostomy (PDT) originated in the USA and now an increasing number of UK centres are adopting the technique. It compares favourably with traditional surgical tracheostomy; PDT can be performed more satisfactorily at the bedside, avoiding the transport of critically ill patients to the operating theatre.  It is a more rapid and convenient technique and evidence increasingly suggests that it is associated with significantly fewer and less severe complications.  If early reports are confirmed by larger, carefully controlled trials, it is likely that PDT will largely replace conventional surgical techniques for the provision of tracheostomy in the critically ill.  An improved risk-benefit ratio of PDT may favour earlier conversion of translaryngeal intubation to tracheostomy.
General Infirmary at Leeds, UK.
M W
MW
Bennett
A R
AR
Bodenham
D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011247:Pregnancy; D014139:Tracheostomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000266:history / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D016896:Treatment Outcome