Effectiveness of Early Tracheostomy compared with Late Tracheostomy Or Prolonged Orotracheal Intubation in Traumatic Brain Injury: Protocol of Systematic Review

Review question / Objective: What is the effectiveness of Early Tracheostomy compared with Late Tracheostomy Or Prolonged Orotracheal Intubation in Traumatic Brain Injury? Condition being studied: Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is every traumatic anatomical ou functional injury that affects brain, skull and/or vessels related to them. TBI is a public health problem that involves over 50 million people per year in Worldwide. Information sources: PUBLISHED DATABASES (Medline by PUBMED, Lilacs, Central-Cochrane, Scopus by Elsevier, Web Of Science e Embase by Elsevier) NON-PUBLISHED (Open Grey by Sigle; Clinical Trial Register at the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform) (Referencies of the selected studies).

Prediction of Factors Influencing the Timing and Prognosis of Early Tracheostomy in Patients with Multiple Rib Fractures using Propensity Score Matching Analysis

Objective To explore the factors affecting the timing and prognosis of early tracheostomy(within 7 days after tracheal intubation) in patients with multiple rib fractures. Methods A retrospective analysis of the medical history of 222 patients with multiple rib fractures who were admitted to the department of emergency intensive care unit(EICU) of the affiliated hospital of Yangzhou University from February 2015 to October 2019 underwent early tracheostomy. According to the time from tracheal intubation to tracheostomy after admission, the patients were divided into two groups: early tracheostomy group (within 7 days after tracheal intubation,ET) and late tracheostomy group (after the 7th day, LT). The propensity score matching analysis technique was used to compare the differences between the two groups in a 1:1 ratio. Results A total of 222 patients were enrolled, with 118 in the ET group and 104 in the LT group. After matching, 87 in the ET group and 87 in the LT group. The proportion of acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS)[59(67.8%)], the volume of pulmonary contusion (VPC)[33.8±11.4], and number of total rib fractures (NTRF)[10.8±2.7] in the ET were significantly higher than those in the LT group, P<0.05. Binary Logistic regression analysis showed that ARDS[OR=3.740, 95%CI(1.441, 9.711)], VPC[OR=1.087, 95%CI(1.052, 1.124)], and NTRF [OR=1.775, 95%CI(1.439, 2.188)] were independent risk factors for ET.The Pearson analysis showed that VPC and NTRF had significant correlation(R=0.369, P=0.01), ARDS and VPC had low degree correlation(R=0.179, P=0.018), while ARDS and NTRF had no significant correlation(R=0.132, P=0.110). Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis showed that the area under VPC and NTRF curves [0.832(95%CI: 0.770~0.893),0.804(95%CI: 0.740~0.868)] were significantly more than the number of rib fractures(NFR), glasgow coma scale(GCS), and injury severity score(ISS), P<0.05. COX regression analysis showed that patients with underwent ET survived significantly better than the LT, P<0.05. Conclusions We found that ARDS, VPC, and NTFR were independent risk factors for ET; VPC ≥ 23.9% and (or) NTRF ≥ 8.5 could be used as predictors of ET in patients with multiple rib fractures. There was a linear relationship between NTRF and VPC. ET might benefit patients with multiple rib fractures.

Is Tracheostomy Safe?: Common Indications and Early Complications Among Ugandan Patients In A Pre-Covid-19 Era.

Background: Tracheostomy is a life-saving procedure whose outcomes may vary between hospitals based on disparities in their existing expertise. We aimed at establishing the indications, early tracheostomy-related complications and their associated factors in Uganda. Methods: In a prospective cohort study, we consecutively enrolled one-hundred patients, both adults and children 2 hours post-tracheostomy procedure. At baseline, information on patients’ socio-demographics, tracheostomy indications, pre- and post-procedural characteristics was collected through researcher administered questionnaires and from medical records. Clinical examination was performed at baseline but also at either day 7 or whenever a tracheostomy-related complication was suspected during the 7days follow-up. Comparison of patients’ baseline characteristics, tracheostomy indications and complications across two hospitals was done using Pearson’s chi-square. For predictors of early tracheostomy complications, bivariate and multivariate analysis models were fitted using binomial regression in STATA 13.0 software. Results: Majority of patients were adults (84%) and males (70%). The commonest tracheostomy indications were; pulmonary toilet (58%) and anticipated prolonged intubation (42%). Overall, 53% (95% CI: 43.0 – 62.7) had early complications with the commonest being tube obstruction (52.6%). Independent predictors of early tracheostomy-related complications were; anticipated having prolonged intubation as an indication (RR=1.8, 95%CI: 1.19 – 2.76), Bjork flap tracheal incision (RR=1.6, 95%CI: 1.09 – 2.43), vertical tracheal incision (RR=1.53, 95%CI: 1.02 – 2.27), and age below 18 years (RR=1.22, 95%CI: 1.00 – 1.47).Conclusion: Within a pre-COVID-19 context, pulmonary toilet is the commonest tracheostomy indication at major hospitals in Uganda. The incidence of early tracheostomy complications is high and majorly related to post-procedure tracheostomy tube management. Having anticipated prolonged intubation as an indication for tracheostomy, a Bjork flap or vertical tracheal incisions and being a child increases the risk of complications. Emphasis on surgical training and post-procedural management for both clinicians and nurses should be made. New data will be needed within the COVID-19 era.

Early Percutaneous Dilatational Tracheostomy pada Pasien COVID-19 dengan Gagal Napas: Laporan Kasus

Latar belakang: Pasien kritis dengan infeksi coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) memiliki kecenderungan untuk perawatan ventilasi mekanik dalam waktu yang lama. Perawatan dengan translaryngeal intubasi dalam waktu lama beserta penggunaan sedasi dan tindakan lainnya di intensive care unit (ICU) dapat memunculkan beberapa komplikasi lebih lanjut.Kasus: Pasien perempuan pascaoperasi sectio caesaria dengan gagal napas akibat infeksi COVID-19. Pasien mendapat support high flow nasal canule (HFNC) di awal perawatan di ICU. 4 hari perawatan, kondisi distress napas pasien memberat dan dilakukan intubasi translaryngeal. Dari evaluasi kondisi pasien selama 4 hari perawatan dengan ventilasi mekanik, tim ICU memutuskan melakukan tracheostomy melalui pendekatan dilatasi perkutan. Prosedur dilakukan di ruang bertekanan negatif dengan penggunaan alat pelindung diri (APD) level 3. Kondisi pasien berangsur mengalami perbaikan selama 7 hari perawatan dengan tracheostomy. Support ventilasi yang minimal, kebutuhan fraksi oksigen yg menurun dan perbaikan kondisi umum menjadi pertimbangan dilakukan dekanulasi. 3 hari pasca dekanulasi pasien dipindah rawat ke ruangan dengan kondisi stabil.Selama perawatan di ICU, pasien mendapat standar terapi berupa antiviral, antibiotik, antikoagulan, analgesik, steroid, dan obat penunjang lainnya.Pembahasan: Tindakan tracheostomy berhubungan dengan insiden pneumonia yang lebih rendah, penurunan penggunaan obat sedasi dan percepatan masa lepas rawat dari ventilasi mekanik. Early tracheostomy dilakukan sebelum hari ke-10 intubasi. Teknik dilatasi perkutan memiliki kelebihan atas efektifitas dan efisiensi biaya dan alat pendukung. Tindakan percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT) pada pasien COVID-19 harus dilakukan dengan proteksi tenaga medis yang optimal.Kesimpulan: Early tracheostomy dapat dipertimbangkan dalam tatalaksana pasien kritis COVID-19. Penilaian kondisi klinis pasien dan proteksi tenaga medis merupakan faktor utama menentukan tindakan early tracheostomy pada pasien COVID-19.

Early Tracheostomy for ARDS Patients Supported by Venovenous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Is Associated With A Decreased Incidence of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia, Duration of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation and Mechanical Ventilation: Experience From A Single-Center Retrospective Cohort.

Background: Venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has become the ultimate supporting technique for the rescue of severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) patients. Although tracheostomy during ECMO has proven to be beneficial, the proper time point for performing the tracheostomy remains unclear. The purpose of our study was to demonstrate whether early tracheostomy (ET; within 7 days of ECMO initiation) outweighs delayed tracheostomy (DT; 8 days of more after ECMO initiation).Methods: A retrospective cohort study was established. All ARDS patients who underwent tracheostomy during V-V ECMO support in the intensive care unit (ICU) of a tertiary hospital from December 2013 to November 2020 were reviewed.Results: Of the 187 ARDS patients who received V-V ECMO support, 30 (16%) underwent tracheostomy—18 (60%) during ECMO support and the other 12 after ECMO decannulation. Among the 18 patients who underwent tracheostomy while receiving ECMO, 11 (61.1%) received ET, and 7 received DT. No significant difference was found between the ET and DT groups in terms of demographic data, medical history, disease severity (estimated based on the RESP, PRESERVE, APACHE Ⅱ, SOFA and Murray scores), ARDS risk factors or mechanical ventilation duration before ECMO. The ET group showed a decreased incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) during ECMO support (45.5% vs. 100%; P= 0.038) and shortened durations of ECMO (9.0 vs. 27.0 days; P= 0.011) and mechanical ventilation (16.0 vs. 56.0 days; P= 0.027). ET did not significantly alter the all-cause ICU mortality rate (54.5% vs. 28.6%; P= 0.367), all-cause hospital mortality rate (which was the same as the ICU mortality rate), length of ICU stay (336 vs. 627 hours; P= 0.085), or length of hospital stay (26 vs. 37 days; P= 0.285). Local bleeding at the tracheostomy wound did not differ between the two groups (27.3% vs. 42.9%, P= 0.627) .Conclusion: Compared with delayed tracheostomy, ET performed within 7 days of ECMO cannulation for severe ARDS patients could decrease the VAP incidence during ECMO support and shorten the durations of ECMO and mechanical ventilation; However, it may not improve the outcome. Prospective and multicenter studies are needed for further research.

Comparing the Outcomes of Early and Late Tracheostomy in Severe Traumatic Brain Injury Patient

Background: Patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) were expected to have poor Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) recovery and prolonged intubation. Therefore, an early tracheostomy procedure was indicated for all severe TBI. In view of growing concern regarding the safety and outcome of early tracheostomy on these patients, it was deemed valid and needed to be addressed. Methods: This study was conducted to compare the outcomes of early and late tracheostomies in severe TBI. Only severe TBI patients who were admitted to the Neurosurgery High Dependency Unit (NHDU), Hospital Sultanah Aminah (HSA), Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia and who had underwent a tracheostomy were recruited. Three main outcomes noted: duration on ventilation, length of NHDU stay and rate of ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP). Results: Out of 155 patients, 72 (46.5%) were in early tracheostomy group (ETG) and 83 (53.5%) were in late tracheostomy group (LTG). The majority of the participants, 95 (61.3%) were ethnic Malays. The mean duration on ventilator use was 2.65 days (1.57) for ETG and 5.63 days (2.35) for LTG. While, mean NHDU stay was 4.75 days (1.98) for ETG and 9.77 days (2.70) for LTG. Upon independent t-test, early duration of tracheostomies had shown significant outcome in reducing length of NHDU stay, (P < 0.001) and had shortening participants’ time on mechanical ventilator (P < 0.001). Then, based on forward multiple logistic regression test, there were significant association between comorbid (P = 0.003) and tracheostomy (P = 0.020) towards presence of VAP when adjusted for other variables. Conclusion: In this study it was found that early tracheostomy was significant in shortening the duration on ventilator, reducing the length of NHDU stay and reducing the rate of VAP.

Early vs. Late Tracheostomy in Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Introduction. Tracheostomy can help weaning in long-term ventilated patients, reducing the duration of mechanical ventilation and intensive care unit length of stay, and decreasing complications from prolonged tracheal intubation. In traumatic brain injury (TBI), ideal timing for tracheostomy is still debated. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effects of timing (early vs. late) of tracheostomy on mortality and incidence of VAP in traumatic brain-injured patients. Methods. This study was conducted in conformity with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline. We performed a search in PubMed, using an association between heading terms: early, tracheostomy, TBI, prognosis, recovery, impact, mortality, morbidity, and brain trauma OR brain injury. Two reviewers independently assessed the methodological quality of eligible studies using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS). Comparative analyses were made among Early Tracheostomy (ET) and late tracheostomy (LT) groups. Our primary outcome was the odds ratio of mortality and incidence of VAP between the ET and LT groups in acute brain injury patients. Secondary outcomes included the standardized mean difference (MD) of the duration of mechanical ventilation, ICU length of stay (LOS), and hospital LOS. Results. We included two randomized controlled trials, three observational trials, one cross-sectional study, and three retrospective cohort studies. The total number of participants in the ET group was 2509, while in the LT group it was 2597. Early tracheostomy reduced risk for incidence of pneumonia, ICU length of stay, hospital length of stay and duration of mechanical ventilation, but not mortality. Conclusions. In TBI patients, early tracheostomy compared with late tracheostomy might reduce risk for VAP, ICU and hospital LOS, and duration of mechanical ventilation, but increase the risk of mortality.

Tips and Pearls for Tracheostomy during the Covid-19 Pandemic

The number of critically-ill coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) patients requiring mechanical ventilation is on the rise. Most guidelines suggest keeping the patient intubated and delay elective tracheostomy. Although the current literature does not support early tracheostomy, the number of patients undergoing it is increasing. During the pandemic, it is important that surgeons and anesthesiologists know the different aspects of tracheostomy in terms of indication, procedure, tube care and complications. A literature search was performed to identify different guidelines and available evidence on tracheostomy in Covid-19 patients. The purpose of the present article is to generate an essential scientific evidence for life-saving tracheostomy procedures.