Peri-operative complications during percutaneous tracheostomy in obese patients.
Byhahn, C. 1; Lischke, V. 2; Meininger, D. 1; Halbig, S. 1; Westphal, K. 3
[Article] Anaesthesia. 60(1):12-15, January 2005.

(Format: HTML, PDF)

Summary: The safety of percutaneous tracheostomy in 73 obese patients (body mass index >= 27.5 kg.m-2) in a cohort of 474 adults was studied. Four percutaneous techniques were employed (percutaneous dilational tracheostomy, n = 48; Ciaglia Blue Rhino, n = 157; guide wire dilating forceps, n = 62, translaryngeal tracheostomy, n = 207). The overall complication rate was 43.8% (n = 32) in the obese group compared to 18.2% (n = 73) in the control group (p < 0.001). Seven (9.6%) obese patients suffered life-threatening complications compared to three non-obese patients (0.7%, p < 0.001). Obese patients had a 2.7-fold increased risk for peri-operative complications, and a 4.9-fold increased risk for serious complications. The data suggest that percutaneous tracheostomy in obese patients is associated with a considerably increased risk for peri-operative complications, especially for serious adverse events.

(C) 2005 Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain & Ireland