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The current practice of tracheostomy in the United Kingdom: a postal survey
Author(s) -
Krishnan K.,
Elliot S. C.,
Mallick A.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
anaesthesia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.839
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1365-2044
pISSN - 0003-2409
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2044.2004.04106.x
Subject(s) - medicine , percutaneous , dilator , tracheotomy , intensive care , general surgery , surgery , intensive care medicine
Summary A postal questionnaire was sent to 228 intensive care units throughout the United Kingdom to determine aspects of current tracheostomy practice. From the number of units responding ( n = 178, 78%), the majority ( n = 173, 97%) practised percutaneous tracheostomy as opposed to open surgical tracheostomy. The Blue Rhino single dilator was the most popular technique ( n = 114, 64%). Percutaneous tracheostomy is increasingly carried out under bronchoscopic guidance ( n = 148, 83%); however, there remains considerable variation in the timing of tracheostomy and only 61 units (34%) have set follow‐up procedures.