Comparative clinical trial of progressive dilatational and forceps dilatational tracheostomy.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the safety and early complications of progressive dilatational tracheostomy (PDT) and forceps dilatational tracheostomy (FDT).


METHODS
Prospective randomized trial.


METHODS
Three-centre university and public teaching hospitals.


METHODS
One hundred and twenty-seven consecutive patients were randomized to undergo PDT or FDT.


RESULTS
The duration of the procedure was 7.0 +/- 3.5 min in the PDT group and 6.4 +/- 4.9 min in the FDT group, which was not significantly different. Intraprocedural complications occurred in 14 % with PDT and 31% with FDT (p = 0.03), and were usually minor. Difficult or false insertion of the cannula in eight patients after FDTwas the most common complication.


CONCLUSIONS
Both percutaneous tracheostomy techniques are safe. The early complication rate of PDT appeared to be lower than FDT, but the early complication rate of FDT may be decreased significantly with small modifications to the set.
Van Heurn
L W
LW
Department of Surgery, University Hospital, The Netherlands. lvh@shee.azm.nl
Mastboom
W B
WB
Scheeren
C I
CI
Brink
P R
PR
Ramsay
G
G
D000368:Aged; D004106:Dilatation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014139:Tracheostomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*