Techniques and Applications of Percutaneous Tracheostomy

Abstract

Introduction: Percutaneous tracheostomy allows permeabilizing the airway at the patient's bedside in an efficient way and with lower risk of fatal complications.

Objective: To compare the different techniques to perform percutaneous tracheostomy according to their complexity, advantages, disadvantages and complications.

Methods: A scoping review was developed from January 2013 to December 2023. The search strategy included the terms traqueostomía or traqueotomía [tracheostomy], percutánea [percutaneous], complicaciones [complications], indicaciones [indications] and resultados [outcomes] in the Spanish, English, French and Portuguese languages, searched in the databases LILACS, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central Register Of Controlled Trials and Cochrane BVS; as well as EMBASE, MEDLINE (through PUBMED), CUMED and Google Scholar. After a critical appraisal and selection process, 57 publications were selected whose data were compiled for proper management, describing different techniques to perform percutaneous tracheostomy.

Conclusions: Percutaneous tracheostomy is a safe procedure, although not free of complications. There are several techniques among which no significant differences have been demonstrated in terms of their safety profile, but the most recommended is the dilatational technique, due to its lower complexity and wide acceptance, especially in critically ill patients.