Abstract

Objective: To compare early tracheostomy versus late procedure in patients undergoing decompression craniectomy.
Methodology: In this retrospective cross-sectional review we looked at data from February 2018 to May 2019. The inclusion criteria were all the patients requiring a decompressive craniectomy, were over the age of 18 years and did not have any significant co-morbid condition. All the patients underwent routine laboratory and radiographic investigations.
Results: Out of 50 patients, there were 22(44%) males and 28(56%) females. Mean age was 44±11 years. Sixteen (32%) patients underwent early tracheostomy while 34 (68%) had late tracheostomy. Twenty-eight (56%) were ventilated for less than 12 days while 22 (44%) were on the ventilator for more than 12 days. Statistically significant differences were found between two groups in terms of their duration on ventilation, occurrence of ventilator associated pneumonia, mortality and length of hospital stay. Gender and age differences were not statistically significant.
Conclusion: We found a significant reduction in use of ventilator, ventilator associated pneumonia and hospital stay in patients who underwent early tracheostomy as compared to late tracheostomy in patients undergoing decompressive craniectomy at our institute.

Key words: Craniectomy, decompression, tracheostomy.