Percutaneous Dilatational Treacheotomy

Overview

S u m m a r y:
Percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy is a less invasive alternative of surgicaltracheostomy. The authors performed 144 tracheostomies at their ENT department from 1993 to2000. 105 operations were made by the percutaneous dilatational way according to Griggs and 39operations by classical surgical tracheostomy according to Jacksons. Both methods, the occurrenceand severity of complications are compared.The occurrence of complications can be to a large extent reduced by the endoscopie supervision ineach stage of operation.A proficient surgeon, who is able to convert the operation into classical tracheostomy and who isa good endoscopist, should perform the operation. The number of complications becomes stable withthe number of performed tracheostomies.

Key words:
percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy, surgical tracheostomy, minitracheostomy,endoscopy.