Percutaneous tracheostomy and cricothyrotomy techniques

Percutaneous tracheostomy is currently accepted as a standard technique for longer-term airway care in the critically ill patients in many intensive care units (ICUs). Early tracheostomy has not shown any survival benefit compared to late tracheostomy following prolonged tracheal intubation in ICU patients. The main indications for tracheostomy in the ICU setting include weaning from artificial ventilation or airway protection. Nevertheless, many questions about choice of techniques, post-tracheostomy care and decannulation remain unanswered. This review gives an overview of current techniques.