Objective: To assess the safety of percutaneous tracheostomy when performed by physician intensivists.
Study design: Descriptive study.
Place and duration of study: Adult Medical ICU in the Department of Critical Care Medicine, Military Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, from September 2013 to August 2016.
Methodology: Departmental record for percutaneous tracheostomies, performed by physician intensivifts, was evaluated. Variables studied were underlying primary diagnosis, details of the operating doctors, presence of immediate complications, departmental protocol for the procedure, pre-procedure safety checklist, written instructions on procedure steps, use of ultrasound and bronchoscopy. Portex Percutaneous Dilation Tracheostomy Kit with Single-Stage Dilator was used in all the patients.
Results: Fifty-six percutaneous tracheostomy procedures were performed with a male to female ratio 3:1; more than 2/3rd (80%) had an underlying neurological illness. All doctors performing the procedures were physicians having minimum qualification of Fellowship with at least one year experience in intensive care and had observed at least five procedures. Departmental protocol for the procedure was followed in all the cases. Minor complications were observed in three patients (5.35%). These included para-tracheal misplacement, accidental de-cannulation, and endotracheal tube cuff puncture. None of the patient died due to direct complications of the procedure.
Conclusion: Percutaneous tracheostomy is safe in Medical ICUs of developing countries, when performed by experienced physician intensivists under defined protocols.