[Complications of difficult tracheal intubations in a  critical care unit]  .
OBJECTIVE
This study was performed in order to evaluate the frequency of DI, the predictive factors of DI and to list the related complications.


METHODS
Prospective non randomized, open study.


METHODS
All patients intubated in the critical care unit during the five months of the study were included. The previous history and clinical setting of the patients, the conditions and the complications of intubation were collected. DI was defined when the procedure required more than two laryngoscopies.


RESULTS
The study included 80 patients. The rate of DI was 22.5%. The Mallampati score (p < 0.001) was the only predictive factor. The frequency of complications was 25%. This rate was 55% for DI versus 16% for easy intubations (p < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
This study confirms the high incidence of DI and associated complications in critical care. We suggest the development of airway management protocols in critical care unit in order to reduce the rate of DI.
Le Tacon
S
S
Service de réanimation médicale, Hôpital Civil, hôpitaux universitaires de Strasbourg, 1, place de l'Hôpital, 67000 Strasbourg, France.
Wolter
P
P
Rusterholtz
T
T
Harlay
M
M
Gayol
S
S
Sauder
P
P
Jaeger
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003422:Critical Care; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007828:Laryngoscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors
Complications des intubations trachéales difficiles dans un service de réanimation médicale.