title: Dilatational versus standard tracheostomy: a meta-analysis.
abstract: The advent of percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT) was initially viewed by otolaryngologists with great skepticism. The purpose of this study was to compare the complications of PDT with those of standard tracheostomy (ST) by a meta-analysis of randomized studies. We found that ST had a fivefold higher rate of complications than did PDT, and these complications were often more severe. We conclude that PDT is a safer procedure for elective tracheostomy in carefully selected patients, ie, those with normal-sized necks.
authors.affiliation: Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University Medical Center, California 94305-5328, USA.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: W E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Fee
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004106:Dilatation / Q000379:methods; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D014139:Tracheostomy / Q000379:methods*