Clinical risk factors associated with the need for tracheostomy in traumatic cervical and high thoracic spinal cord injury.
Document Type
Article
Publication Title
American journal of surgery
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Our objective was to assess the association of completeness and level of spinal cord injury (SCI) with the need for tracheostomy and identify additional risk factors predictive of tracheostomy.
METHODS: This was a retrospective review of patients with SCI between January 2017 and December 2022.
RESULTS: Patients with complete SCI were roughly thirty-three times more likely to have a tracheostomy when compared to incomplete injury (82 % vs 12 %, p < 0.001, OR = 32.9). The rate of tracheostomy did not differ between spinal cord levels for complete (p = 0.68) or incomplete (p = 0.08) injuries. Penetrating injury, low GCS, high ISS, and polytrauma were associated with tracheostomy need in incomplete SCI.
CONCLUSION: Complete injury was statistically significantly associated with the need for tracheostomy while level of injury failed to reach significance. Patients with incomplete SCI that have certain clinical risk factors should be considered for early tracheostomy.
First Page
116033
Last Page
116033
DOI
10.1016/j.amjsurg.2024.116033
Publication Date
1-1-2025
Recommended Citation
Konrad, Maximalian; Shah, Bhairav; Rady, Emily; Holden, Ryan; Lieber, Michael; Hill, Joshua H; and Desphande, Keshav, "Clinical risk factors associated with the need for tracheostomy in traumatic cervical and high thoracic spinal cord injury." (2025). Trauma and Acute Care Articles. 34.
https://scholarlyworks.ohiohealth.com/acute-care-articles/34