Bacterial flora of the respiratory tract following Tracheostomy in intensive care unit patients: a one Year prospective study in prabhakar kore hospital

Abstract

Background: Tracheostomy is a term used to refer the creation of a surgical opening into the trachea. Indications for tracheostomy can be broadly outlined as respiratory obstruction, respiratory failure, respiratory paralysis, retained secretions and reduction of dead space. Tracheostomy offers several advantages like improved physical and psychological comfort, decreased risk of inadvertent extubation, accelerated weaning from mechanical ventilation, decreased time of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) stay before transfer to step-down facilities, and reduced risk of developing ventilator-associated pneumonia. Tracheostomy facilitate weaning by reducing dead space and airway resistance. Ironically by exposing the lower respiratory tract directly to the environment, tracheostomy allows colonization by exogenous bacteria. Bacterial flora following tracheostomy will be assessed which will be helpful in management of tracheobronchial tree infections. Objective: To study the pathogen present in tracheostomy site following tracheostomy.