Percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the rate, timing, the incidence of complications of percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT) and its effects by on nosocomial pneumonia.

Methods: The study is a retrospective analysis of 104 patients (56 males, 48 females) > or = 18 years (54 +/- 19) who had undergone a PDT for respiratory failure during the five years 1998-2003.

Results: Among 238 patients requiring mechanical ventilation > or = 48 hours, 104 (43.7%) required PDT. PDT was performed after 4.3 +/- 2.3 days of ventilation and the disconnection from mechanical ventilation was 13.6 +/- 8.5 days. Lower airway tract infection was detected in 88 patients: 55 patients (62.5%) before PDT and in 33 patients (37.5%) after PDT. The nosocomial pneumonia was observed after 5.9 +/- 1.67 days of ventilation.

Conclusions: Our results suggest that PDT was performed relatively early, with an acceptable complication rate and that our post-PDT nosocomial pneumonia incidence is low.