title: Comparison of complications in stroke subjects undergoing early versus standard tracheostomy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although the benefits of early tracheostomy have been discussed in numerous studies, it is still unclear whether it is safe to perform early tracheostomy on unstable stroke patients. The purpose of this study is to assess the influences of the timing of tracheostomy on the incidence of complications following surgical tracheostomy in stroke patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively performed chart reviews of 95 stroke subjects who underwent tracheostomy. In terms of timing, procedures performed within 7 d of intubation were categorized as early tracheostomy, and those performed after 7 d were categorized as standard tracheostomy. The incidence of complications following tracheostomy was compared between the two groups. The risk factors for complication were also investigated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among the 95 subjects, 59 (62.1%) received early tracheostomy and 36 (37.9%) received standard tracheostomy. The overall incidence of tracheostomy complications was 24.2%, and there was no significant difference in incidence between the two groups. A comparison of risk factors between the groups with and without complications revealed no significant differences in age, sex, body mass index, Glasgow coma scale score, stroke type, or history of underlying disease. However, activated partial thromboplastin time was significantly higher in the group with complication.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There was no significant difference in the incidence of complications in stroke subjects undergoing early versus standard tracheotomy.
authors: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, School of Medicine, Kyung Hee University.
authors: Young Chan
authors: YC
authors: Lee
authors: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, School of Medicine, Kyung Hee University.
authors: Tae Hyun
authors: TH
authors: Kim
authors: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Dentistry, Kyung Hee University.
authors: Jung-woo
authors: JW
authors: Lee
authors: Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors: In-Hwan
authors: IH
authors: Oh
authors: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, School of Medicine, Kyung Hee University ygeun@hanmail.net.
authors: Young Gyu
authors: YG
authors: Eun
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke; D013997:Time Factors; D014139:Tracheostomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: early tracheostomy; standard tracheostomy; tracheostomy complications