[PercuTwist dilational tracheostomy. Prospective evaluation of 54 consecutive patients].
BACKGROUND
Percutaneous dilational tracheostomy (PDT) is considered to be an accepted method in intensive care patients. In 2002 Frova and Quintel described a method of dilation that employed controlled rotation of the PercuTwist dilational device. The goal of the present study was to evaluate the new technique employed by an experienced team.


METHODS
Prospective, observational clinical study in 54 intensive care patients who required PDT. All tracheostomies were accompanied by bronchoscopic control. Vital parameters and perioperative complications were registered.


RESULTS
In all 54 consecutive PercuTwist tracheostomies no severe complications were noted. Accidental tracheal ring fracture was noted in 7 patients while bleeding that needed surgical care occurred in 1 patient.


CONCLUSIONS
The PercuTwist tracheostomy is a safe procedure for intensive care patients. More prospective studies that would compare the PercuTwist tracheostomy with the other PDT methods are necessary.
Gründling
M
M
Klinik und Poliklinik für Anästhesiologie und Intensivmedizin, Klinikum der Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-Universität Greifswald. gruendli@uni-greifswald.de
Kuhn
S-O
SO
Nees
J
J
Westphal
K
K
Pavlovic
D
D
Wendt
M
M
Feyerherd
F
F
D018806:APACHE; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001999:Bronchoscopy; D003422:Critical Care; D004106:Dilatation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014139:Tracheostomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods