Percutaneous Dilatational Tracheostomy and Needle Cricothyrotomy

Abstract

Percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT) is an alternative method to traditional surgical open tracheostomy (SOT). As various PDT methods have been developed, PDT may be superior to SOT with respect to less frequent perioperative complications such as bleeding, wound infection and overall mortality. PDT also requires less procedure time and less experience to perform than SOT.
Needle cricothyrotomy is a last resort to provide oxygenation and ventilation for difficult airway management (DAM) in patients who cannot be intubated and ventilated.