Modified Ciaglia and Griggs percutaneous tracheostomy techniques: A retrospective analysis

Objective: many techniques of percutaneous tracheostomy have been described in the literature. the two most popular techniques are griggs and modified-ciaglia percutaneous tracheostomies. in this study we report our experience with percutaneous tracheostomy based on griggs and modified-ciaglia techniques,as well as comparison of these techniques regarding their complication rates. method: retrospective evaluation of 158 patients' data undergone elective percutaneous tracheotomy in intensive care unit of our institution between 2007 and 2010 was made. results: totally 158 percutaneous tracheostomies were performed,where modified-ciaglia technique was used in 114 (72.2%) of them and griggs technique in the rest. the procedure duration was significantly shorter with griggs than with modified-ciaglia technique,(p=0.04). no significant difference was detected between the groups regarding complication development,(p=0.42). conclusion: both modified-ciaglia and griggs percutaneous tracheostomy techniques are good alternatives for surgical tracheotomy,with comparable and acceptable complication rates. duration of percutaneous tracheostomy procedure is shorter with griggs technique.