511 A Retrospective Review of the Timing of Tracheostomy in Mechanically Ventilated Patients

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Tracheostomy is indicated for prolonged mechanical ventilation. Tracheostomy provides various benefits over prolonged endotracheal intubation including improved airway care, diminished need for sedation, reduced airway resistance, and increased patient comfort. However, the timing and effectiveness of tracheostomies has been controversial. Several studies, have indicated that early tracheostomy reduces the length of ICU and hospital stay, decrease the time on mechanical ventilation, and reduces the incidence of nosocomial pneumonia. In contrast other studies have shown that early tracheostomy shows no benefit, or even extends the length of mechanical ventilation in some patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the timing and the appropriateness of timing of tracheostomy. Methods This was a retrospective study of burn patients requiring mechanical ventilation over a 5-year period. The main comparison groups were endotracheal tube only (ETT) vs tracheostomy (Trach) and early tracheostomy (ETrach) vs. late tracheostomy (LTrach). Tracheostomies that were performed within the first 7 days were considered to be ETrach. Results Age, gender, ethnicity, % TBSA burned, presence of inhalation injury did not differ between any of the groups. The Trach group demonstrated increased hospital length of stay (LOS) (22 vs. 39 days, p< .0001), greater number of ICU days (11 vs. 31 days, p< .0001), greater number of surgeries (3.7 vs. 6.6, p< .0001) and patients in this group were more likely to be discharged to a post-acute care facility rather than home, when compared to the ETT group (p< .0001). The Trach group also was more likely to develop ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) (23% vs. 48%, p< .0001), and more likely to develop swallowing abnormalities. Similarly, the LTrach group demonstrated greater number of ICU days (25 vs. 32 days, p=.04), greater number of ventilator days (23 vs. 29 days, p=.03), greater number of surgeries (4.5 vs 7.2, p=.02), but fewer days to liberate from the ventilator (19.4 vs 13.6 days, p=.04). This group also was more likely to develop VAP than the ETrach group (28% vs 53%, p=.03). Conclusions This study demonstrates a number of improved outcomes of tracheostomy over continued endotracheal intubation, and a number of improved outcomes of early tracheostomy over later tracheostomy. The most significant improved outcomes were decreased incidence of VAP and decreased swallowing difficulties following extubation/decannulation.