• Sapna A Patel, Emily K Plowman, Stacey Halum, Albert L Merati, and Maya G Sardesai.
• Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.
• Laryngoscope. 2015 Sep 1;125(9):2134-8.

Objectives/HypothesisTo determine whether the timing of tracheotomy placement impacts ventilation weaning status and mortality.Study DesignMulti-institution retrospective cohort study.MethodsDemographic data, procedural details, and clinical outcomes were recorded for patients undergoing tracheotomy for prolonged mechanical ventilation across eight sites. The study group was divided into two groups: those undergoing tracheotomy within 14 days of initiation of mechanical ventilation and those undergoing tracheotomy at or after 14 days. Groups were compared for primary outcome measures of mortality and ability to wean from mechanical ventilation within the study period.ResultsOf the 539 patients intubated for ventilator dependence with complete data available, 280 (51.9%) underwent tracheotomy within 14 days. Patients who underwent late tracheotomy were 1.72 times more likely to remain ventilator dependent during the follow-up period (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.12-2.66), and had a 40% increased risk of death (odds ratio: 1.4, 95% CI: 0.96-1.99).ConclusionsIn this multicenter retrospective review of tracheotomy outcomes, late tracheotomy placement (>14 days) was associated with increased mortality and prolonged ventilator dependence. Standardized multidisciplinary management protocols for prolonged mechanical ventilation are recommended, and future work should confirm these results in a prospective manner.Level Of Evidence4.© 2015 The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.

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