Comparison of two percutaneous tracheostomy techniques, guide wire dilating forceps and Ciaglia Blue Rhino: a sequential cohort study.
BACKGROUND
To evaluate and compare the peri-operative and postoperative complications of the two most frequently used percutaneous tracheostomy techniques, namely guide wire dilating forceps (GWDF) and Ciaglia Blue Rhino (CBR).


METHODS
A sequential cohort study with comparison of short-term and long-term peri-operative and postoperative complications was performed in the intensive care unit of the University Medical Centre in Nijmegen, The Netherlands. In the period 1997-2000, 171 patients underwent a tracheostomy with the GWDF technique and, in the period 2000-2003, a further 171 patients with the CBR technique. All complications were prospectively registered on a standard form.


RESULTS
There was no significant difference in major complications, either peri-operative or postoperative. We found a significant difference in minor peri-operative complications (P < 0.01) and minor late complications (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Despite a difference in minor complications between GWDF and CBR, both techniques seem equally reliable.
Department of Intensive Care, University Medical Centre Nijmegen, The Netherlands. b.fikkers@ic.umcn.nl
Bernard G
BG
Fikkers
Marieke
M
Staatsen
Sabine G G F
SG
Lardenoije
Frank J A
FJ
van den Hoogen
Johannes G
JG
van der Hoeven
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002404:Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004106:Dilatation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013525:Surgical Instruments; D014139:Tracheostomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*