Decanulation in Critically Ill Patients

In this study, in patients who will be treated in our intensive care unit between 01.07.2024 and 01.12.2025 and who are deemed suitable for decannulation after tracheostomy [patients must be clinically stable, have been able to stay off the ventilator for at least 48 hours and have appropriate arterial blood gases taken during this time, have no dyspnea, GCS>10, have swallowing and cough reflexes, have no problems with mouth opening, and have secretions less than 1/3 of the length of a catheter (1)], the position of the vocal cords (right, left, cadaveric, normal), movements with phonation and respiration, and vocal fold displacement velocity (VFDV) to control air permeability will be measured by bedside ultrasound by deflating the cuff of the tracheostomy cannula, the cannula will be removed and the same measurements will be taken again with ultrasonography, before being transferred to the otolaryngology clinic (OT) for Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) exam. The accuracy of the measurement will be confirmed by two researchers by video recording, and the findings will be compared with the FEES examination. Additionally, demographic characteristics, comorbidities, acute physiology and chronic health assessment scores (APACHEII), sequential organ failure assessment score (SOFA), comorbidities, decannulation failure (repeat tracheostomy or intubation within 2 days after decannulation) and prognosis (90 day-mortality) after decanulation will be recorded for patients meeting the above criteria.

Inclusion criteria

s

• Critically ill patients (CIPs) who are receiving treatment within the specified time period and who require a tracheostomy.
• Critically ill patients who are suitable for decannulation (underwent spontaneous breathing trials with the use of CPAP ( CPAP level of maximum 6 cm of water and maximum 10 cm of water pressure support at least 24 hours ).
• Critically ill patients with intact swallowing reflexes ( patients were first examined for GAG reflexes, followed by ultrasonography; changes in muscle length and contraction velocity during swallowing were measured in a sagittal section using a convex probe ,
• CIPs with GCS>8.

Exclusion criteria

1.Critically ill patients under 18 years of age. 2.Critically ill patients who do not require tracheostomy. 3.Critically ill patients who are spontaneously breathing and can be weaned off the ventilator for <24 hours 4.Critically ill patients with GCS < 8. 5.Critically ill patients with absent swallowing reflexes

-