Percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to investigate the rate, timing, the incidence of complications of percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT) and its effects by on nosocomial pneumonia. METHODS The study is a retrospective analysis of 104 patients (56 males, 48 females) > or = 18 years (54 +/- 19) who had undergone a PDT for respiratory failure during the five years 1998-2003. RESULTS Among 238 patients requiring mechanical ventilation > or = 48 hours, 104 (43.7%) required PDT. PDT was performed after 4.3 +/- 2.3 days of ventilation and the disconnection from mechanical ventilation was 13.6 +/- 8.5 days. Lower airway tract infection was detected in 88 patients: 55 patients (62.5%) before PDT and in 33 patients (37.5%) after PDT. The nosocomial pneumonia was observed after 5.9 +/- 1.67 days of ventilation. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that PDT was performed relatively early, with an acceptable complication rate and that our post-PDT nosocomial pneumonia incidence is low.