Tracheostomy in Posterior Fossa Cerebellopontine Angle Tumours in Neurosurgery: A Tertiary Care Institute Experience

Tracheostomy in the neurosurgical setting is an important tool for airway maintenance, especially in Cerebellopontine angle tumour patients. A retrospective study was conducted at the Neurosurgical centre of a tertiary care institute for analyzing the factors dictating early or late tracheostomy and its consequent early or late decannulation. 170 records were retrieved of which 15.8% underwent tracheostomy. Early Tracheostomy was defined as that conducted within 5 days of surgery and late between 5 and 30 days. Early decannulation was considered as one conducted within 30 days of tracheostomy and late as beyond 30 days. 79% underwent tracheostomy in the early period. There were no complications of tracheostomy in the cohort. The factors of early decannulation were younger age, tracheostomy performed in Operation Theatre and shorter duration of mechanical ventilation and it was associated with shorter Intensive Care Unit and Hospital stay.