Comments on Selected Recent Dysphagia Literature

Excerpt

The goals of this concise definitive review were to summarize the adult intensive care unit literature relative to tracheostomy (sic) practice, formulate best-practice recommendations, and determine future research directions. Tracheostomy, for patients who do not require a surgical airway or with acute neurological injury, should not be performed during the first 2 weeks following onset of respiratory failure to allow time to determine the need for long-term ventilator support. Percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy is currently considered to be the preferred technique for tracheostomy in the intensive care unit. Future research is needed on assessment of aspiration risk and communication options both when mechanical ventilation is required and during weaning trials, post-tracheostomy management protocols to determine optimal timing for decannulation and rehabilitation interventions, and long-term effects of tracheostomy on patient-centric outcomes. …