Severe tracheal stenosis associated with reintubations

Objective: To identify and document the incidence of severe, clinically symptomatic stenosis in a general intensive care unit (ICU) population and thus to identify airway interventions that are associated with stenosis. Design: A prospective, observational study over five years. Setting: Clinical investigation in a district general hospital adult intensive care unit. Subjects: One hundred and thirty-six consecutive, intubated patients with an ICU stay of five or more days and who survived to be followed up to six months were studied. Interventions: None. Measurements and main results: Detailed information was recorded for every patient on the type of intubation, number of reintubations and mode of ventilation. Post-discharge patients were clinically examined and had full pulmonary function tests, with flow loops, performed at two and six months post-ICU discharge. Of the 136 patients, 48 had open operative tracheostomies performed and 37 patients were reintubated twice or more; 120 had pulmonary function ...