NYMC Faculty Publications

Predicting the Need for Tracheostomy in Trauma Patients Without Severe Head Injury

Author Type(s)

Faculty

DOI

10.1016/j.amjsurg.2019.12.018

Journal Title

American Journal of Surgery

First Page

495

Last Page

498

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

8-2020

Department

Surgery

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Early tracheostomy is recommended in patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI); however, predicting the timing of tracheostomy in trauma patients without severe TBI can be challenging.

METHODS: A one year retrospective analysis of all trauma patients who were admitted to intensive Care Unit for > 7 days was performed, using the ACS-TQIP database. Univariate and Multivariate regression analyses were performed to assess the appropriate weight of each factor in determining the eventual need for early tracheostomy.

RESULTS: A total of 21,663 trauma patients who met inclusion and exclusion criteria were identified. Overall, tracheostomy was performed in 18.3% of patients. On multivariate regression analysis age >70, flail chest, major operative intervention, ventilator days >5 days and underlying COPD were independently associated with need of tracheostomy. Based on these data, we developed a scoring system to predict risk for requiring tracheostomy.

CONCLUSION: Age >70, presence of flail chest, need for major operative intervention, ventilator days >5 and underlying COPD are independent predictors of need for tracheostomy in trauma patients without severe TBI.

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