Tracheostomy

Tracheostomy is an extremely common procedure that can be performed safely both in the operating room or at the bedside in the intensive care unit using a surgical or percutaneous dilational technique. As with any procedure, tracheostomy should be performed by experienced personnel with knowledge of airway anatomy and additional expertise in airway management. Benefits to percutaneous dilational tracheostomy over surgical tracheostomy include cost savings, fewer bleeding complications, and less delay once the decision to perform tracheostomy is made. There are still many circumstances when surgical tracheostomy is the preferred safer option, making it important for intensivists and surgeons to understand the relative benefits and risks of both techniques.