Background: Despite the growing clinical use of the percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy data concerning their first line application are still lacking.
Methods: Retrospective analysis of the intra- and postinterventional morbidity of a modified dilatational tracheostomy in a surgical intensive care unit of a German university hospital over a 2-year period.
Results: A total of 107 elective dilatational tracheostomies were performed in 105 patients. There were no intraoperative complications. 2 accidental decannulations occurred in the postoperative period. One conventional tracheostomy had to be performed secondary. Stoma side bleeding or clinical relevant infection had not been observed. After definite decannulation wound closure was spontaneous in all patients.
Conclusions: The first line application of the dilatational tracheostomy has a low morbidity.