[Clinical application of improved percutaneous tracheostomy with dilatational technique].

Objective: To evaluate clinical application of improved percutaneous tracheostomy with dilatational technique.

Methods: In 55 patients an improved percutaneous tracheostomy was used, and in another 52 patients an old technique of percutaneous tracheostomy was used.

Results: The cost of the improved percutaneous tracheostomy was only (216.0+/-4.4) yuan, operation time was (5.0+/-3.5) minutes, while the cost of the old method was (3 011.0+/-5.3) yuan, and operation time was (10.0+/-6.9) minutes. The difference between them was significant (t=23.60, 4.76, both P<0.001), but there were no differences in the time of bleeding and healing (both P>0.05).

Conclusion: The improved percutaneous tracheostomy was more expeditious, costless, better healing, scar smaller. Therefore, it is useful in emergency care, and it can take the place of classical tracheostomy.