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. 2009 Oct;52(5):427–433.

Table 1.

Summary of trials examining early versus delayed tracheostomy

Study Year Study type and duration of MV, d Outcome, early v. delayed mean (SD)
Mortality, % MV duration, d ICU LOS, d Pneumonia, %
Bouderka et al.25 2004 RCT
5 v. none
ND 14.5 (7.3) v. 17.5 (10.6) ND ND
Rodriguez et al.26 1990 RCT
≤ 7 v. ≥ 8
ND 12 (1) v. 32 (3) 16 (1) v. 37 (4) 78 v. 96
Rumbak et al.27 2004 RCT
2 v. 14–16
32 v. 62 7.6 (2.0) v. 17.4 (5.3) 4.8 (1.4) v. 16.2 (3.8) 5 v. 25
Saffle et al.28 2002 RCT
4 v. 14.8
ND ND ND ND
Dunham and LaMonica29 1984 RCT
3–4 v. 14
NR NR NR ND
Arabi et al.30 2004 Prospective cohort
≤ 7 v. > 7
ND 9.6 (1.2) v. 18.7 (1.3) 10.9 (1.2) v. 21.0 (1.3) NR

ICU = intensive care unit; LOS = length of stay; MV = mechanical ventilation; ND = no difference; NR = not reported; RCT = randomized controlled trial; SD = standard deviation.