Respiratory care
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Observational Study
Tracheostomy Decannulation and Disorders of Consciousness Evolution.
Tracheostomy is a frequent surgical procedure in subjects with chronic disorders of consciousness (DOC). There is no consensus about safety of tracheostomy decannulation in this population.The aim of our study was to estimate if DOC improvement is a predictor for tracheostomy decannulation. Secondary outcomes include mortality rate and discharge destination. ⋯ Subjects who improve their DOC are more likely to achieve tracheostomy decannulation. Some subjects in VS were decannulated, with lower mortality than those who remained tracheostomized.