• Carlos M Romero, Rodrigo Cornejo, Eduardo Tobar, Ricardo Gálvez, Cecilia Luengo, Nivia Estuardo, Rodolfo Neira, José Luis Navarro, Osvaldo Abarca, Mauricio Ruiz, María Angélica Berasaín, Wilson Neira, Daniel Arellano, and Osvaldo Llanos.
• Unidad de Pacientes Críticos, Departamento de Medicina, Hospital Clínico, Universidad de Chile, Chile.
• Rev Bras Ter Intensiva. 2015 Apr 1; 27 (2): 119-24.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of percutaneous tracheostomy by means of single-step dilation with fiber optic bronchoscopy assistance in critical care patients under mechanical ventilation.MethodsBetween the years 2004 and 2014, 512 patients with indication of tracheostomy according to clinical criteria, were prospectively and consecutively included in our study. One-third of them were high-risk patients. Demographic variables, APACHE II score, and days on mechanical ventilation prior to percutaneous tracheostomy were recorded. The efficacy of the procedure was evaluated according to an execution success rate and based on the necessity of switching to an open surgical technique. Safety was evaluated according to post-operative and operative complication rates.ResultsThe mean age of the group was 64 ± 18 years (203 women and 309 males). The mean APACHE II score was 21 ± 3. Patients remained an average of 11 ± 3 days on mechanical ventilation before percutaneous tracheostomy was performed. All procedures were successfully completed without the need to switch to an open surgical technique. Eighteen patients (3.5%) presented procedure complications. Five patients experienced transient desaturation, 4 presented low blood pressure related to sedation, and 9 presented minor bleeding, but none required a transfusion. No serious complications or deaths associated with the procedure were recorded. Eleven patients (2.1%) presented post-operative complications. Seven presented minor and transitory bleeding of the percutaneous tracheostomy stoma, 2 suffered displacement of the tracheostomy cannula, and 2 developed a superficial infection of the stoma.ConclusionPercutaneous tracheostomy using the single-step dilation technique with fiber optic bronchoscopy assistance seems to be effective and safe in critically ill patients under mechanical ventilation when performed by experienced intensive care specialists using a standardized procedure.

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