title: The intensive care unit as an operating room.
abstract: This article is an overview of the different procedures currently performed on the ICU patient and emphasizes percutaneous tracheostomy and percutaneous gastrotomy. The steps necessary to prepare the patient, the ICU staff, and intensivist to achieve a safe and successful procedure are described, as are the indications, technique, complications, safety, and advantages to perform these techniques in the ICU.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Connecticut, Hartford, USA.
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Barba
mesh_terms: D003161:Compartment Syndromes / Q000601:surgery; D003422:Critical Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D004750:Enteral Nutrition / Q000379:methods; D005773:Gastroscopy / Q000379:methods; D005774:Gastrostomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D010535:Laparoscopy; D009873:Operating Rooms; D012449:Safety; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D014139:Tracheostomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D016306:Vena Cava Filters; D000078329:Workforce