Comparison puncture-dilation tracheostomy by Frova technique versus Griggs technique in overweight and obese patients: a randomized controlled study

INTRODUCTION: Tracheostomy is one of the most frequently performed operations in intensive care patients. This is due to the fact that in the population of intensive care patients, puncture tracheostomy has a number of advantages compared to surgical tracheostomy (ST). This determines the urgency of finding ways to reduce the risk of perioperative complications during puncture tracheostomy in intensive care patients, especially in overweight and obese patients. OBJECTIVE: To study the advantages and limitations of puncture dilation tracheostomy (PDT) performed using the Frova method under ultrasound control in intensive care patients with overweight and obesity, in comparison with the Griggs PDT method under fibrobronchoscopic (FBS) control. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The presented prospective study was conducted in the departments of anesthesiology and intensive care of the A.I. Burnasyan Federal Medical Biophysical Center FMBA from 2017 to 2021, which included 92 overweight and obese patients whose body mass index (BMI) was more than 25 kg/m2 and required tracheostomy. Two groups were identified: group (n = 48) — Frova tracheostomy under ultrasound control, group (n = 44) — Griggs tracheostomy under FBS control. RESUITS: Performing PDT using the Frova technique under ultrasound control is feasible and safe in intensive care patients with overweight and obesity, whereas with grade 3 obesity with a BMI of more than 41 kg/m2 and/or with a thickness of pretracheal soft tissues of more than 40 mm, PDT using the Frova technique should be abandoned and should be considered as absolute contraindications for performing PDT using the Frova method under ultrasound control. CONCLUSIONS: PDT using the Frova method under ultrasound control, when compared with the Griggs method with FBS control, can significantly reduce the incidence of intraoperative desaturation, arterial hypotension, intraoperative severe hemorrhagic complications, postoperative soft tissue infection around a tracheostomy wound.