Endoscopically monitored percutaneous dilational tracheotomy in a residency program

Objectives/Hypothesis: Endoscopically guided percutaneous dilational trache otomy (PDT) has become a well-established alternative to the more tradition al open tracheotomy, yet its use by otolaryngologists is Limited. As airway management specialists, otolaryngologists should be familiar with a wide r ange of definitive procedures, including PDT. Few otolaryngology programs t each the technique. The objective of the present study was to determine the complication rate and outcome of PDT after its introduction in a residency teaching program. We also wished to evaluate whether the time savings repo rted by experienced surgeons could be repeated in our setting. Setting: Ter tiary referral teaching hospital. Methods: We prospectively reviewed our fi rst 54 consecutive PDTs and compared them to 29 consecutive standard open t racheotomies, which mere reviewed retrospectively. Results: Complications ( 13% vs. 33%, P = .030), operative time (12 vs. 24 min, P < .0001) and total procedure time (37 vs. 80 min, P < .001) were significantly reduced in the PDT group as compared with standard tracheotomy, Initial outcome data mere equal in both groups. Conclusions: We found that PDT can be safely and eff ectively taught as part of an otolaryngology residency training program.