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Video

Comprehensive Otolaryngology

(A247) Tracheostomy Management and Outcomes: An Institutional Analysis

Monday, October 13, 2025
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM EDT
Location: OTO EXPO, Posters

    Presenting Author(s)

  • WS

    William A. Strober, MD, MSCI

    Resident Physician
    Washington University/B-JH/SLCH Consortium
    Saint Louis, Missouri, United States

    • Co-Author(s)

  • Daniel Du, BAS

    Medical Student
    Washington University School of Medicine
    St. Louis, New Jersey, United States

  • DK

    Dorina Kallogjeri, MD, MPH

    Assistant Professor
    Washington University in Saint Louis
    St Louis, Missouri, United States

  • Jay F. Piccirillo, MD

    Professor, Vice Chair for Research
    Washington University School of Medicine
    St. Louis, MO, United States

    • Senior Author(s)

  • MR

    Matthew L. Rohlfing, MD

    Washington University School of Medicine, United States

Disclosure(s):
William A. Strober, MD, MSCI: No relevant relationships to disclose.
Daniel Du, BAS: No relevant relationships to disclose.
Jay F. Piccirillo, MD: No relevant relationships to disclose.


Introduction: Tracheostomy is a commonly performed procedure for patients with upper airway obstruction or the need for long-term ventilatory support, but its management often involves multiple specialty services, leading to heterogeneous care and limited tracking of longitudinal outcomes. This study aimed to describe management and patient outcomes after tracheostomy, including factors such as length of stay (LOS), time to decannulation, and outpatient follow up.

Methods: Adult patients who underwent tracheostomy from a single academic institution from January to June 2022 were included in this cohort study. Data including demographic factors, inpatient LOS, time to decannulation, time to follow up, complications, and readmissions were collected from patient charts over a 6-month post-procedure period. Basic descriptive and frequency statistics were used to describe outcomes and features of tracheostomy management, and logistic and linear regressions were used to evaluate the impact of different risk factors on these outcomes.

Results: 218 patients were identified for this cohort. 65 (30%) of the patients had an indication of head and neck cancer, and 153 (70%) had persistent requirement for mechanical ventilation. 100 (46%) were decannulated prior to discharge, 45 (21%) were decannulated after discharge, 51 (23%) were not decannulated, and 22 (10%) expired before discharge. 6.8% of patients experienced a tracheostomy-related complication, and the all-cause readmission rate within 6 months was 35%. The median (IQR) time to outpatient follow up was 12 (21) days. Patients stayed a median (IQR) of 17 (30) days in the ICU following the procedure, and 32 (41) days total. Patients with severe comorbidities (ACE-27 score 2+) had an ICU LOS that was 17.4 days longer (95% CI: 10.4-24.4 days) and a total hospital LOS that was 26.9 days longer (95% CI: 15.0-38.9 days) compared to patients with less severe comorbidities (ACE-27 score 0-1).

Conclusions: The results of this study provide a foundation for future tracheostomy-related research and quality improvement.