[Preliminary results of percutaneous tracheotomies].

OBJECTIVES: Percutaneous tracheotomy (PT) is an alternative to surgical tracheotomy (ST). We describe our procedure and discuss the current status of PT through a retrospective study of our first 30 cases.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty patients had a PT between October 2006 and March 2008 in the intensive care units of Caen University Hospital (France). Twenty-eight were done with the Ciaglia Blue Rhino (CBR) and two with the Percutwist. Each PT was endoscopically guided. We retrospectively collected preoperative data and most of the intraoperative as well as early postoperative complications.

RESULTS: No death was reported with the PT application. Twenty-two (73.3%) PTs had neither preoperative nor early postoperative complications. Eight complications were observed, half preoperative and half early postoperative. The most frequent complication was minor bleeding in three cases (10%), the most important one was the intraoperative appearance of a tracheoesophageal fistula with the CBR.

DISCUSSION: The principal advantages of PT are safety attributable to simultaneous endoscopic guidance as well as shorter operative time and lower cost in comparison with the ST technique.

CONCLUSION: PT is a safe and valid alternative procedure to ST. Initially performed by intensivists, it should be part of the ENT/head and neck surgeon's repertory as the upper airway specialist.