Bedside percutanous forceps dilatational tracheostomy.

ICU patients, mainly those who need prolonged ventilatory support, may require tracheostomy, which once was done in the operating room, nowadays is performed in the ICU, as percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT). Forty two patients 18-72 yrs of age (mean 44 yrs), with varying indications for tracheostomy, had undergone PDT in the ICU under the standard protocol for this procedure. The mean time for completion of the procedure was 10 min. Advantages and complications are reviewed. The difficulties encountered were mainly the anatomical landmarks (10%), difficulties in dilatation (5%) and peristomal oozing (1%). It is concluded that percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy is an easy, cost effective, practical when done at bedside in the ICU, and spares transferring the patient to the operating theater.