Objective: To study the cost-efficiency and safety of bedside forceps dilatational tracheostomy (FDT) in the intensive care unit (ICU).
Methods: FDT was performed in 83 patients who needed prolonged artificial airway. The time interval between the decision and actual time of operation, time for completing the procedure, operation cost, perioperative and postoperative complications were recorded and analyzed. The operation cost was compared between 83 FDT cases and other 102 surgical tracheostomy (ST) cases which were performed in the operation room during the same period.
Results: FDT was successfully performed for 83 patients. The average time interval between the decision and undertaking FDT was (11.5±8.5) hours, the average operating time was (14.5±5.5) minutes, the operation cost of FDT [(1 560±340) yuan] was lower than that of ST [(2 600±450) yuan, P <0.05]. The incidence of the perioperative and postoperative complication of the 83 patients was 15.66% and 2.41% respectively. Nine patients died within 28 days after FDT.
Conclusion: FDT performed by intensivists for critically ill patients in ICU is safe and cost-effective.