title: Real-time sonographically guided percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy using a long-axis approach compared to the landmark technique.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Sonographic evaluation of neck anatomy before performing percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT) has been shown to predict PDT success. In this study, we compared the real-time, long-axis, in-plane approach to the traditional bronchoscopically guided landmark technique.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were analyzed from a prospectively maintained PDT database at a university tertiary care medical intensive care unit. A convenience sample of adult patients requiring PDT for prolonged mechanical ventilation dependence was enrolled. Critical care fellows, under direct supervision of an attending intensivist, performed all PDTs. Tracheostomy performance from the sonographically guided and landmark techniques was compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-three patients were enrolled: 11 in the sonography group and 12 in the landmark group. Initial midline introducer needle puncture was achieved in 72.7% in the sonography group compared to 8.3% in the landmark group (P< .001). The mean number of introducer needle punctures ± SD was significantly lower in the sonography group compared to the landmark group (1.4 ± 0.7 versus 2.6 ± 0.9; P < .001). The total tracheostomy time was 11.4 ± 4.2 minutes in the sonography group versus 15.3 ± 6.8 minutes in the landmark group (P = .12). Sonography accurately predicted tracheal ring space insertion in 90.9% of patients. Procedural complications did not differ significantly between the groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy under real-time sonographic guidance using a long-axis approach may increase the rate of midline punctures and decrease the number of needle punctures when compared to the landmark technique. Sonographic guidance can also help guide accurate and efficient placement of a tracheostomy tube into the desired tracheal ring space.
authors: Department of Emergency Medicine (V.A.D., D.H., H.B.N.), Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care (V.A.D., S.F., A.C., H.S., P.G., D.H., H.B.N.), and School of Medicine (S.L., P.S.), Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California USA. vadinh@llu.edu.
authors: Vi Am
authors: VA
authors: Dinh
authors: Department of Emergency Medicine (V.A.D., D.H., H.B.N.), Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care (V.A.D., S.F., A.C., H.S., P.G., D.H., H.B.N.), and School of Medicine (S.L., P.S.), Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California USA.
authors: Siavash
authors: S
authors: Farshidpanah
authors: Department of Emergency Medicine (V.A.D., D.H., H.B.N.), Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care (V.A.D., S.F., A.C., H.S., P.G., D.H., H.B.N.), and School of Medicine (S.L., P.S.), Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California USA.
authors: Samantha
authors: S
authors: Lu
authors: Department of Emergency Medicine (V.A.D., D.H., H.B.N.), Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care (V.A.D., S.F., A.C., H.S., P.G., D.H., H.B.N.), and School of Medicine (S.L., P.S.), Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California USA.
authors: Phillip
authors: P
authors: Stokes
authors: Department of Emergency Medicine (V.A.D., D.H., H.B.N.), Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care (V.A.D., S.F., A.C., H.S., P.G., D.H., H.B.N.), and School of Medicine (S.L., P.S.), Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California USA.
authors: Ara
authors: A
authors: Chrissian
authors: Department of Emergency Medicine (V.A.D., D.H., H.B.N.), Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care (V.A.D., S.F., A.C., H.S., P.G., D.H., H.B.N.), and School of Medicine (S.L., P.S.), Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California USA.
authors: Harsh
authors: H
authors: Shah
authors: Department of Emergency Medicine (V.A.D., D.H., H.B.N.), Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care (V.A.D., S.F., A.C., H.S., P.G., D.H., H.B.N.), and School of Medicine (S.L., P.S.), Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California USA.
authors: Paresh
authors: P
authors: Giri
authors: Department of Emergency Medicine (V.A.D., D.H., H.B.N.), Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care (V.A.D., S.F., A.C., H.S., P.G., D.H., H.B.N.), and School of Medicine (S.L., P.S.), Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California USA.
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Hecht
authors: Department of Emergency Medicine (V.A.D., D.H., H.B.N.), Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care (V.A.D., S.F., A.C., H.S., P.G., D.H., H.B.N.), and School of Medicine (S.L., P.S.), Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California USA.
authors: H Bryant
authors: HB
authors: Nguyen
mesh_terms: D003199:Computer Systems; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014132:Trachea / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D014139:Tracheostomy / Q000379:methods*; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional / Q000379:methods*
keywords: long axis; percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy; point-of-care ultrasound; simulation; sonographic guidance; training