Comparison and Efficacy of Percutaneous Versus Open Tracheostomy in Critically Ill Patients

Tracheostomy is a surgical procedure most often performed on critically ill children and adults.^1,2 It can be performed urgently or electively, the indications are divided by age group, one of the most common causes is the need for chronic mechanical ventilation. ^3,4

The surgical technique that is preferred worldwide is the percutaneous dilatation technique with bronchoscopic control, since it has fewer complications, among these, higher rate of decannulation, fewer days of IMV, shorter stay in the ICU and low Charlson comorbidity index, compared to open tracheostomy. ⁵

Complications secondary to the procedure are divided into early and late, the most frequent being bleeding or hemorrhage, infection, obstruction of the tracheostomy tube, and injury to the posterior wall of the trachea.^6,7,8