Risk Of Tracheostomy Research Articles

Does Intramedullary Nail Fixation of the Tibia Pose the Same Risk of Pulmonary Complications as Intramedullary Nail Fixation of the Femur? A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis.

To compare duration of mechanical ventilation and pulmonary outcomes in patients treated with intramedullary nail (IMN) fixation of the tibia versus the femur. Retrospective cohort study. Level I trauma center. One thousand thirty patients were categorized based on treatment: those treated with IMN of the tibia (n = 515) and those treated with IMN of the femur (n = 515). IMN fixation of tibial and femoral fractures. The primary outcome was duration of mechanical ventilation. Secondary outcomes included length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay and risk of tracheostomy, pulmonary embolism (PE), acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and mortality. In an unadjusted analysis, femoral fractures were associated with increase in ventilator days (mean difference, 1.4; P < 0.001), ICU days (mean difference, 1.8; P < 0.001), and odds of tracheostomy (odds ratio, 1.7; P < 0.01). No difference was shown in likelihood of PE, ARDS, or mortality (P > 0.2). Propensity score-matched estimates showed no differences in any measured outcomes (P > 0.40). In patients with Injury Severity Scores >17, we found no difference in length of ventilator or ICU days or likelihood of tracheostomy, PE, ARDS, or mortality in the unadjusted (P > 0.2) or propensity score-matched estimates (P > 0.3). These findings suggest that IMN fixation of the tibia is associated with duration of mechanical ventilation and risk of poor pulmonary outcomes similar to those of femoral nailing, after adjustment for baseline characteristics. Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Discussing Benefits and Risks of Tracheostomy: What Physicians Actually Say.

When contemplating tracheostomy placement in a pediatric patient, a family-physician conference is often the setting for the disclosure of risks and benefits of the procedure. Our objective was to compare benefits and risks of tracheostomy presented during family-physician conferences to an expert panel's recommendations for what should be presented. We conducted a retrospective review of 19 transcripts of audio-recorded family-physician conferences regarding tracheostomy placement in children. A multicenter, multidisciplinary expert panel of clinicians was surveyed to generate a list of recommended benefits and risks for comparison. Primary analysis of statements by clinicians was qualitative. Single-center PICU of a tertiary medical center. Family members who participated in family-physician conferences regarding tracheostomy placement for a critically ill child from April 2012 to August 2014. We identified 300 physician statements describing benefits and risks of tracheostomy. Physicians were more likely to discuss benefits than risks (72% vs 28%). Three broad categories of benefits were identified: 1) tracheostomy would limit the impact of being in the PICU (46%); 2) perceived obstacles of tracheostomy can be overcome (34%); and 3) tracheostomy optimizes respiratory health (20%). Risks fell into two categories: tracheostomy involves a big commitment (71%), and it has complications (29%). The expert panel's recommendations were similar to risks and benefits discussed during family conferences; however, they suggested physicians present an equal balance of discussion of risks and benefits. When discussing tracheostomy placement, physicians emphasized benefits that are shared by physicians and families while minimizing the risks. The expert panel recommended a balanced approach by equally weighing risks and benefits. To facilitate educated decision making, physicians should present a more extensive range of risks and benefits to families making this critical decision.

Total laryngectomy or laryngeal preservation for advanced laryngeal cancer. Impact of the functional risk upon the patient's preferences

ObjectiveTo analyse, based on an anonymous questionnaire, the treatment decision envisaged and the impact of the medical information delivered in patients facing the diagnosis of an advanced laryngeal cancer amenable to total laryngectomy or a laryngeal preservation protocol. Material and methodsProspective study conducted in a French teaching hospital based on questionnaires filled in by 269 patients attending the otorhinolaryngology clinic. ResultsA total of 28.6% of patients would not consider any trade-off of cure to preserve their larynx; 1.4% of patients were willing to trade all chances of cure in order to avoid total laryngectomy. The median percentage of cure that patients were ready to loose in order to preserve their larynx was 33% (range: 5 to 100%); 47.9% of patients wanted to receive additional information before making their decision with a significant increase among patients with a level of education beyond secondary school (P=0.0006) and among patients with a family history of cancer (P=0.038). The additional information most frequently requested concerned the complications related to the laryngeal preservation protocol (34.1%) and the cure rate (28.6%). After receiving information about the risk of tracheostomy and permanent gastrostomy following the laryngeal preservation protocol, the percentage of subjects who would not consider any trade-off in order to preserve their larynx increased to 31.2% and 56.1%, respectively. ConclusionLaryngeal preservation is not a major objective of treatment shared by patients filling a questionnaire devoted to the choice of treatment when facing an advanced laryngeal cancer. Specific information concerning the expected results and the inherent risks involved in the various treatment options must be provided in every case.

Chronic vocal cord palsy in Thuringia, Germany: a population-based study on epidemiology and outcome

Although surgical treatment of patients with chronic vocal cord palsy (VCP) is an integral part of clinical routine of otorhinolaryngologists, there is nearly no population-based data published on incidence and efficiency of this surgery country-wide or nation-wide. 1430 patients with chronic VCP were treated in a department of otorhinolaryngology between 2005 and 2010 in Thuringia, Germany. VCP was unilateral and bilateral in 63 and 18%, respectively. The affected side was not documented in 20%. Iatrogenic lesions of the recurrent nerve (42%) and neoplastic infiltration (27%) were the leading etiologies. 192 patients (13%) received surgical treatment. 31% of patient needed more than one surgery. The rate of surgeries was higher for bilateral VCP (p < 0.0001). Vocal cord augmentation was the most frequent surgery for unilateral VCP and posterior cordectomy for bilateral VCP. The complication rate was high (16%), but not different between unilateral and bilateral VCP (p = 0.108). The risk for tracheostomy was higher in the bilateral VCP group (p < 0.0001). Voice improvement was better after treatment of unilateral VCP (p < 0.0001). Breathing improvement was more frequent after bilateral VCP (p = 0.028). Dysphagia did not improve significantly. The rate of better voice, breathing, and swallowing function was higher in patients treated surgically than without surgery (all p < 0.0001). The rate of patients admitted for treatment of vocal fold palsy was 9.9/100,000 habitants. The surgical rate of VCP was 1.38/100,000 habitants. This population-based analysis shows that surgery for VCP is performed with higher incidence than expected effectively, but with relevant risks in daily routine of otorhinolaryngologists.