Real-time ultrasound guided percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy in critically ill patients: A step towards safety!

There are few reports and observational data that support the safety and efficacy of real-time ultrasound guided (USG) percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT) when compared with unguided tracheostomy. We performed real-time USG PDT in our intensive care unit (ICU) patients with the aim of providing safe and cost effective point-of-care management. Real-time ultrasonography has the potential advantage of enabling the clinicians to define the needle path by showing displacement of tissues ahead of needle.