Outcome of tracheotomized patients following reintubation

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the outcome of tracheotomized patients after reintubation.

Method: Secondary analysis from a prospective, multicenter and observational study including 36 Intensive Care Units (ICUs) from 8 countries.

Patients: A total of 180 patients under mechanical ventilation for more than 48 hours, extubated and reintubated within 48 hours.

Interventions: None.

Outcomes: ICU mortality, length of ICU stay, organ failure.

Results: Fifty-two patients (29%) underwent tracheotomy after reintubation. The median time from reintubation to tracheotomy was 2.5 days (interquartile range (IQR) 1-8 days). The length of ICU stay was significantly longer in the tracheotomy group compared with the group without tracheotomy (median time 25 days, IQR 17-43 versus 16.5 days (IQR 11-25); p<0.001). ICU mortality in the tracheotomy group was not significantly different (31% versus 27%; p 0.57).

Conclusions: In our cohort of reintubated patients, tracheotomy is a common procedure in the ICU. Patients with tracheotomy had an outcome similar to those without tracheotomy.