Tracheostomy in ICU With a Double Lumen Endotracheal Tube

Percutaneous Tracheostomy in Intensive Care Unit With a Dedicated Double Lumen Endotracheal Tube

Percutaneous tracheostomy in Intensive care unit (ICU) is performed with the use of flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope inside the conventional single lumen endotracheal tube owned by the patients. This situation may lead to many disadvantages for ventilation and airway protection of critically ill patients during the procedures. The use of double lumen endotracheal tube dedicated to the percutaneous tracheostomies may:

1. improve the ventilation of patients during the procedure,
2. protect the posterior tracheal wall from damage related to the different step of tracheostomies,
3. protect the lungs from blood and secretions coming down from the chosen site of tracheostomy.

So the aim of this study is to evaluate the oxygenation, gas exchange, ventilation and complications of percutaneous tracheostomies performed in ICU with a dedicated double lumen endotracheal tube.

Inclusion Criteria:

• age ≥ 18 years and at least one of following criteria:
• prolonged endotracheal intubation
• prolonged mechanical ventilation
• difficult/prolonged weaning
• inability to protect the airway

Exclusion Criteria:

• infection of neck tissues
• previous surgical neck interventions
• recent surgical interventions or fracture of the cervical spine