Chinese medical sciences journal = Chung-kuo i hsüeh k'o hsüeh tsa chih / Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences
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Meta Analysis
Effect of timing of tracheotomy on clinical outcomes: an update meta-analysis including 11 trials.
To estimate the relative effect of early vs. late tracheotomy on clinical end-points in unselected intensive care unit (ICU) patients undergoing mechanical ventilation. ⋯ Early tracheotomy can reduce length of ICU stay, duration of mechanical ventilation and mortality but has no influence on hospital pneumonia when compared with late tracheotomy. Once the decision has been made about tracheotomy, clinical physicians should not hesitate to perform the procedure.