Tracheostomy healing time after decannulation

Karen Juelsgaard Christiansen; Louise Devantier; Thomas Pasgaard; Thea Emily Benson; Johanne Juel Petersen; Thomas Kjærgaard; Michael Pedersen

doi:10.4081/mrm.2022.822

Tracheostomy healing time after decannulation

Authors

Karen Juelsgaard Christiansen Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6925-9788
Louise Devantier Comparative Medicine Lab, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7811-4874
Thomas Pasgaard Intensive Care, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6750-9520
Thea Emily Benson Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8827-7914
Johanne Juel Petersen Comparative Medicine Lab, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7508-7409
Thomas Kjærgaard Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5090-4812
Michael Pedersen Comparative Medicine Lab, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1146-0382

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4081/mrm.2022.822

Keywords:

Tracheostomy, prolonged mechanical ventilation, decannulation, complication, healing, wound closure

Abstract

Background: Prolonged healing of tracheostomy after decannulation has a negative impact on respiration, hygiene, cosmetics, and social life. Even so, evidence-based observations of tracheostoma healing time are lacking. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine tracheostomy wound healing time after decannulation.
Methods: In this prospective observational cohort study, we included 30 subjects undergoing decannulation following prolonged mechanical ventilation via tracheostomy. Our primary endpoint was tracheostomy healing time defined as time from decannulation to airtight healing. To identify any factors related to healing time, we included information about patient demographics, comorbidities, tracheostomy method, tube size, and intubation time. All subjects were observed daily until their tracheostomy wound had healed.
Results: The median tracheostomy healing time was 6.5 (1-22) days. The duration of tracheal cannulation was the only factor significantly correlated with prolonged healing (p=0.03). Four patients were subjected to recannulation shortly after decannulation due to hypercapnia, respiratory failure, secretion accumulation, or self-decannulation. All wounds achieved complete spontaneous airtight closure.
Conclusions: Duration of spontaneous tracheostomy closure after decannulation was 1-22 days, and closure time correlated with duration of cannulation.

Author Biography

Louise Devantier, Comparative Medicine Lab, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus

Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Region Hospital West Jutland, Holstebro, Denmark

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