Early versus late tracheostomy for critically ill patients: A clinical evidence synopsis of a recent Cochrane Review.

The author questioned whether an early tracheostomy (within 10 days of intubation) was associated with lower mortality compared with a late tracheostomy for long-term mechanically ventilated patients. The present brief review of eight studies revealed that individuals receiving early tracheostomies had slightly lower mortality rates compared with those who received late tracheostomies. More standardized research is needed. However, if a patient is expected to need long-term mechanical ventilation, a tracheostomy should be performed before the 10-day mark.