Percutaneous Tracheostomy using Combined Griggs and Ciaglia Technique with Fibreoptic Guidance- A Prospective Observational Study

ABSTRACT Introduction: Percutaneous Tracheostomy (PCT) is a bed side procedure, done by the anesthesiologists in critically ill, patients. In the study centre, Fibre Optic Bronchoscopy (FOB) guided combined Griggs {Guide Wire Dilatation Forceps (GWDF)} technique and Ciaglia’s single dilatation technique has been adopted, to make the procedure shorter and safer. Aim: To evaluate the ease of insertion, timing of the procedure and complications when combining Griggs and Ciaglia technique for performing PCT under fiberoptic guidance. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective observational study, done on 250 patients in whom the combined Griggs and Ciaglia technique were used to perform PCT, under FOB guidance. Results: The mean duration of the procedure was 2.4±0.8 minutes. There was no complication due to the procedure per se. The mean bleeding volume was less than 10 mL. No voice changes or breathing difficulty was present after eight weeks of procedure. Conclusion: By combining Griggs and Ciaglia technique, the procedure could be done in less than three minutes, the tapered dilator and the tracheostomy tube could be inserted in the 1st attempt, without any difficulty. The procedure related complications occurred rarely. The complications were nil in the perioperative period.