Fantoni translaryngeal tracheostomy vs Ciaglia Blue Rhino percutaneous tracheostomy: a retrospective comparison

PURPOSE: To compare the operative technique and complications of the Fantoni tracheostomy (TLT) with those of the Ciaglia Blue Rhino tracheostomy (CBR). We also compared the costs of mini-invasive tracheostomy with those of surgical tracheostomy (ST). METHODS: Between January 1998 and January 2006, 530 patients needed emergency intubation and protracted assisted ventilation in our department. We performed 470 mini-invasive tracheostomies: as TLT in 350 and as CBR in 120. The time between intubation and tracheostomy was 4 +/- 1 days. Interventions were carried out in our intensive care unit (ICU). RESULTS: One hundred and nine patients died within 20 +/- 5 days of intervention, but 361 are still alive after 100 +/- 3 months. TLT and CBR complications were independent of the operative technique (P = 0.74, r = 0.285 vs P = 0.61, r = 0.271) or procedure time (P = 0.95, r = 0.297 vs P = 0.92, r = 0.295). Ciaglia Blue Rhino tracheostomy was noted to have a cost-benefit advantage over TLT and ST (P = 0.0002, P = 0.009, P = 0.22, respectively). The average time until decannulation was 20 +/- 1 days. CONCLUSIONS: Mini-invasive tracheostomies are easy, safe, and fast. Ciaglia Blue Rhino tracheostomy took less time to perform and had fewer complications than TLT, because the technique was simpler.