Late outcome from percutaneous tracheostomy using the Portex kit.

OBJECTIVE: To assess late outcome following percutaneous tracheostomy using the Portex kit (Hythe, Kent, UK).
DESIGN: Prospective observational cohort study.
SETTING: Teaching hospital. PATIENTS: Forty-nine consecutive patients who underwent percutaneous tracheostomy in the ICU using the Portex kit and who survived 6 months after the procedure.
INTERVENTIONS: Questionnaires regarding six symptoms were sent to all 49 surviving patients; the 39 respondents were invited to attend for review. Thirteen patients underwent pulmonary function testing, of whom 10 also underwent fiberoptic laryngotracheoscopy under local anesthesia.
RESULTS: The most common symptom was a minor change in voice. One patient had required treatment for symptomatic tracheal stenosis by the time of review; one was referred for revision of a tethered scar. Pulmonary function testing was easily performed by all patients and revealed no evidence of upper airway obstruction. Tracheoscopy likewise showed no evidence of tracheal stenosis.
CONCLUSIONS: One of 49 patients had developed tracheal stenosis. None of the patients attending for detailed review showed any sign of late complications other than one tethered scar.