Percutaneous Tracheostomy - Systematic Comparison Among Three Methods: Prospective Study

Percutaneous tracheostomy is routinely performed in most intensive care units in the world.Several studies have shown that the procedure is safe and economically efficient in comparison to open surgical operation in the operating room. In our institution as in a number of institutions in the country, it is acceptable to perform the operation by placing the tube on a high position near the vocal cords by direct laryngoscopy and then puncturing the trachea with a needle, by location of the anatomy by palpation of the neck. Using technological aids, such as direct sonography and bronchoscopy in real time may significantly reduce the rate of complications as a result of performing percutaneous tracheostomy. So far, no systematic comparison has been made among the three methods.