Korean J Crit Care Med.  2014 May;29(2):64-69. 10.4266/kjccm.2014.29.2.64.

Safety and Feasibility of Percutaneous Dilatational Tracheostomy Performed by Intensive Care Trainee

• Lee D
• Chung CR
• Park SB
• Ryu JA
• Cho J
• Yang JH
• Park CM
• Suh GY
• Jeon K

• KMID: 2227763
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4266/kjccm.2014.29.2.64

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT) performed by an intensivist in critically ill patients is currently popular. Many studies support the safety and feasibility of PDT. However, there is limited data on the safety and feasibility of PDT performed by intensive care trainees.
METHODS
To evaluate the safety and feasibility of PDT performed by intensive care trainees and to compare these with those performed by intensivists, we retrospectively analyzed the clinical characteristics and adverse events of all prospectively registered patients who underwent PDT by ICT or intensivists in intensive care units (ICUs) from August 2010 to August 2013.
RESULTS
In the study period, 203 patients underwent PDT in ICUs; 139 (68%) by trainees and 64 (32%) by intensivists. There were no statistically significant differences in clinical characteristics including demographics, laboratory findings, and parameters of mechanical ventilation between the two groups. Procedure times and outcomes of the patients were not different between the two groups. The majority of complications observed in 24 hours after PDT were bleeding; however, there was no significant difference between the two groups (trainee 10.8% vs. intensivist 9.4%, p = 0.758). There was no procedure-related death in the two groups.
CONCLUSIONS
PDT performed by intensive care trainees was safe and feasible. However, further well-designed studies should be conducted to confirm our results.

Keyword

education; fellowship; intensive care units; surgical procedures, minimally invasive; tracheostomy

MeSH Terms

Critical Illness
Demography
Education
Fellowships and Scholarships
Hemorrhage
Humans
Intensive Care Units
Critical Care*
Prospective Studies
Respiration, Artificial
Retrospective Studies
Surgical Procedures, Minimally Invasive
Tracheostomy*