title: Percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy versus open tracheostomy--a prospective, randomized, controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy has gained popularity, but its superiority to open tracheostomy is unclear. The object of this study was to compare procedure time, complication, safety and cost-effect between the percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT) and the conventional open tracheotomy (OT).
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective randomized clinic trial was conducted in a general Intensive Care Unit of an University-based hospital. Eighty-three consecutive patients who needed elective tracheostomies were selected for this study. PDT was performed using the Ciaglia method with OT as control group. Age, gender, operative data, complications and mortality were recorded for analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The procedure time was 22.0 +/- 12.1 minutes in PDT group, and 41.5 +/- 5.9 minutes in OT group, with significant statistical difference (p < 0.001). The incidences of complications were not different between both groups. Ages, gender or days of pre-tracheostomy intubation showed no difference between two groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The PDT appears to be a simple, safe and time-saving bedside procedure. It can be recommended when an elective tracheostomy is needed in a critical patient.
authors: Division of Trauma, Emergency Department, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC. jkwu@vghtpe.gov.tw
authors: Jackson Jer-Kan
authors: JJ
authors: Wu
authors: Mu-Shun
authors: MS
authors: Huang
authors: Gau-Jun
authors: GJ
authors: Tang
authors: Shin-Chin
authors: SC
authors: Shih
authors: Chih-Chieh
authors: CC
authors: Yang
authors: Wei-Fong
authors: WF
authors: Kao
authors: Min-Hsiung
authors: MH
authors: Huang
authors: Chen-Hsen
authors: CH
authors: Lee
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014139:Tracheostomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*