Profile of Tracheostomy Patients at Prof Dr. R. D. Kandou Hospital during 2020-2021

Abstract: Tracheostomy is a common procedure in ICU, typically performed on patients requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV) or those with airway obstructions. This study aimed to obtain the profile of patients undergoing tracheostomy at Prof. Dr. R. D. Kandou Hospital between 2020 and 2021. This was a descriptive and retrospective study using total sampling from medical records of ICU patients who underwent tracheostomy during the study period. The results showed that a total of 89 tracheostomy cases were recorded, with a sharp increase from four cases in 2020 to 48 in 2021. Most patients were aged 45-70 years (58%), and the gender distribution was nearly equal (51% male, 49% female). Common indications included prolonged mechanical ventilation (42 cases) and respiratory failure (38 cases). Forty percent of patients stayed over a month, and 46% died from underlying conditions. This study also highlighted a lack of standardized decannulation protocols. In conclusion, tracheostomy procedures at Prof. Dr. R. D. Kandou Hospital were most common in middle-aged and elderly patients, with prolonged ventilation and respiratory failure as primary indications. The study underscores the need for clearer decannulation guidelines and improved management strategies. Keywords: tracheostomy; mechanical ventilation; respiratory failure