Is Tracheostomy Insertion an Indication for Gastrostomy Insertion?

The aim of the study was to determine the frequency of surgical patients who undergo tracheostomy and gastrostomy insertion during the same hospitalization. Secondary outcomes included ICU and hospital length of stay (LOS) for patients who underwent concomitant tracheostomy and gastrostomy versus those who did not. This study is a retrospective review of trauma and acute care surgery (ACS) patients between 2006 and 2015 who underwent tracheostomy. Patients who also underwent open gastrostomy or percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy during the same hospitalization were identified. Data collected included patient demographics, hospital LOS, ICU LOS, and timing of tracheostomy and gastrostomy. Three hundred one trauma and ACS patients who underwent tracheostomy were identified. Seventy- three per cent of tracheostomy patients underwent gastrostomy during the same admission. Of patients who had both tubes inserted, 79 per cent (175) underwent gastrostomy with tracheostomy as the concomitant procedure, whereas 21 per cent received gastrostomy as a delayed procedure. Median hospital LOS for patients who underwent concomitant procedures was 25 days versus 22 days for those who had delayed or no gastrostomy ( P = 0.24). Eighty-four per cent of patients who had tracheostomy for prolonged or anticipated prolonged mechanical ventilation were receiving tube feeds at discharge, and 78 per cent had not been advanced to an oral diet at discharge. Most trauma/ACS patients who undergo tracheostomy also undergo gastrostomy during their hospitalization. Concomitant gastrostomy is not associated with a decrease in hospital LOS; however, most patients who undergo tracheostomy for prolonged mechanical ventilation are discharged receiving enteral nutrition. These patients may benefit from concomitant ICU gastrostomy as a way to improve efficiency and cost-saving.