Table 1 Advantages and disadvantages of performing a tracheostomy in the intensive care unit or operating room
Intensive care unit | Operating room | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Advantages | Disadvantages | Advantages | Disadvantages |
No transfer | Positioning can be | Support available | Requires patient transfer |
required | difficult | Controlled (aerosol) | (exposure risks to patient, |
Timely (not | Less equipment | environment | staff and others) |
dependent on | available for | Typically performed | Requires a surgeon to be |
operating rooms) | complications | by surgeons (may save | available |
Convenient for | Fewer resources in | ICU resources) | Takes an operating slot |
ICU team | the event of a complication | Good lighting | Â |
| Â | Suboptimal lighting | Â | Â |
| Â | Potential for distractions | Â | Â |