Evaluation of Percutaneous and Surgical Tracheostomy Results in Neurocritical Care Unit

Objective: The aim of the study is to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages,complication and mortality rates of percutaneous and surgical tracheostomy procedures performed in patients in neuro-intensive care unit (neuro-ICU).
Materials and Methods: The study was carried out retrospectively in neuro-ICU. Patients’ demographic characteristics, comorbidities, reasons for hospitalization, ICU scores at admission [Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evluation 2 (APACHE 2) score and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score], intubation period (days), length of stay in ICU, procedural complications, mortality rates, modified Rankin scale (mRS) scores at discharge and 3rd month were evaluated. Surgical and percutaneous tracheostomy results were compared. Laryngeal mask airway (LMA), bronchoscopy, and tube withdrawal procedures used in percutaneous tracheostomy were compared as well.
Results: Fifty five patients were included in the study. Of the patients, 60.0% were male. Mean age was 71.4±11.8 years. The APACHE 2 score was 25.4±4.8 and SOFA score was 8.1±2.7 at admission to ICU. Mean number of intubation days of the patients was 20.7±11.8, and mean length of stay in ICU was 33.1±13.0 days. Tracheostomy procedure was successful in 53 (96.4%) patients, complications were encountered in 5 (9.1%) patients among all (succesful and unsuccessful) intervention groups. Mortality was seen in 23 (41.8%) patients. Three-month mRS was 5 in 32 (%58.2) patients. Duration of stay in ICU, intubation period (days), and time between intensive care hospitalization and tracheostomy (days) in surgery group were significantly longer compared to percutaneous tracheostomy group. No statistically significant difference was observed in comparison of different groups such as LMA, tube withdrawal, bronchoscopy in patients undergoing percutaneous tracheostomy.
Conclusion: In the study in which we compared the surgical and percutaneous tracheostomy results, no statistically significant difference was found in the complication rates and mRS score at discharge of the two groups. In-hospital mortality rate, which was defined as mRS 6, was observed to be higher in patients who underwent surgical tracheostomy. Because of the rapid application of the procedure at the bedside in patients for whom percutaneous tracheostomy was preferred, it was observed that the length of stay in the neuro-ICU and the number of days followed up with intubation were reduced.