Forty-seven patients underwent dilatational tracheostomy with bronchoscopic support. Bronchoscopic support during the procedure prevents perforation of the dorsal wall of the trachea and reveals any bleeding into the trachea. Complications intra- and postoperatively have not been seen as yet (follow-up up to 1 year). Duration of the procedure was 8 min versus 30 min for the conventional tracheostomy (mean values).