Predictors of Difficulty in Bedside Percutaneous Dilatational Tracheostomy: Pilot Study

Introduction: percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy is currently one of the main procedures performed in an intensive care unit (ICU). However, there are no well-defined indicators of technical difficulty in performing the procedure.

Objectives: to define predictors of difficulty in performing bedside percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy.

Methodology: prospective cohort study encompassing 21 patients who underwent bedside percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy in the ICU at a single center.

Results: Sternohyoid (SH) distance shorter than 7 cm is associated with a 50% increase in the risk of technical difficulty (OR 0.44 and p <0.03).

Conclusion: the reduction in (SH) distance is related to an increased risk of difficulty in performing percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy in the ICU bed.