The Laryngoscope
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Bedside tracheostomy in the intensive care unit: a prospective randomized trial comparing open surgical tracheostomy with endoscopically guided percutaneous dilational tracheotomy.
Objectives of the study were 1) to analyze the complication incidence and resource utilization of two methods of bedside tracheostomy and 2) to define selection criteria for bedside tracheostomy. ⋯ This investigation prospectively confirms the safety of bedside tracheostomy placement in properly selected patients. Complication incidence and resource utilization are defined for two methods of bedside tracheostomy. The results of this study confirm that open surgical tracheostomy represents the standard of care in bedside tracheostomy placement by providing a more secure airway at a markedly reduced patient charge. These findings will aid in the development of protocols and pathways for surgical airway management in critically ill patients to maximize cost-effective, high-quality care.