Mortality, complications and hospital length of stay in percutaneous vs. open tracheostomy. A retrospective study

Julieth Catherine Villamizar Guerrero; Gina Xihomara Rojas Mora; Héctor Darío Arroyave Páramo; Óscar Alonso Villada Ochoa

doi:10.5554/22562087.e1161

Julieth Catherine Villamizar Guerrero Critical Medicine and Intensive Care, School of Medicine, Universidad de Antioquia. Medellín, Colombia. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7855-4690
Gina Xihomara Rojas Mora Critical Medicine and Intensive Care, School of Medicine, Universidad de Antioquia. Medellín, Colombia. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1859-1780
Héctor Darío Arroyave Páramo Critical Medicine and Intensive Care, School of Medicine, Universidad de Antioquia. Medellín, Colombia. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7211-8628
Óscar Alonso Villada Ochoa Critical Medicine and Intensive Care, School of Medicine, Universidad de Antioquia. Medellín, Colombia. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1921-5717

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5554/22562087.e1161

Keywords: Tracheostomy, Mechanical ventilation, Mortality, Hospital length of stay, Percutaneous tracheostomy, Open tracheostomy

Abstract References How to Cite Downloads

Abstract

Introduction: Tracheostomy is a procedure commonly performed in critically ill patients, using one of two techniques: open (OT) or percutaneous (PT). PT is performed in the intensive care unit (ICU) by intensive care physicians, while OT is performed in the operating room by otolanryngologists or surgeons.

Objective: To determine if there are any differences in mortality, complications or hospital length of stay between the two techniques.

Methods: Descriptive retrospective cohort study in adult patients undergoing tracheostomy, hospitalized in an ICU of a Level III hospital in Antioquia between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2022.

Results: The study evaluated the clinical records of 116 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 84 with PT and 32 with OT. Overall mortality was 44%, with no significant differences found between the two groups (OT 43.8% and PT 44%), or when controlling for other variables (OR = 0.848, 95% CI: 0.35-2.02); there were no procedure-related deaths. No differences were found in the percentage of hospitalization complications by tracheostomy type. Differences were found in terms of duration of orotracheal intubation: OT 18 (15-21) days and PT 12 (8-15) days (p < 0.001); mechanical ventilation: OT 32 (22-36) days and PT 23 (15-38) days (p = 0.046); and ICU length of stay: OT 36 (27-43) days and PT 28 (18-41) days (p = 0.038).

Conclusions: Performance of PT in the ICU was not associated with increased mortality or major complications when compared to OT; moreover, it was associated with shorter duration of orotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation, as well as ICU length of stay.

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How to Cite

1.

Villamizar Guerrero JC, Rojas Mora GX, Arroyave Páramo HD, Villada Ochoa Óscar A. Mortality, complications and hospital length of stay in percutaneous vs. open tracheostomy. A retrospective study. Colomb. J. Anesthesiol. [Internet]. 2025 Jul. 15 [cited 2026 Jan. 21];53(4). Available from: https://www.revcolanest.com.co/index.php/rca/article/view/1161