Loading...
Proponents of early tracheotomy (during days 3–6 of mechanical ventilation) say it lessens morbidity and mortality relative to prolonged intubation and late tracheotomy (at approximately 2 weeks), but evidence is unclear. In this single-center trial from France, 216 patients who underwent cardiac surgery and were expected to require prolonged mechanical ventilation were randomized to early tracheotomy or prolonged intubation and late tracheotomy (if mechanical ventilation was necessary beyond 15 days). All patients were managed with strict sedation and weaning protocols.
At 60 days, no difference was noted in ventilator-free days between groups. In addition, no significant differences were observed in mortality at 60 or 90 days, frequency of…