BMJ : British medical journal
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Review Meta Analysis
Systematic review and meta-analysis of studies of the timing of tracheostomy in adult patients undergoing artificial ventilation.
To compare outcomes in critically ill patients undergoing artificial ventilation who received a tracheostomy early or late in their treatment. ⋯ In critically ill adult patients who require prolonged mechanical ventilation, performing a tracheostomy at an earlier stage than is currently practised may shorten the duration of artificial ventilation and length of stay in intensive care.