Main Outcome Measures
The primary outcome measure for this study was post-tracheostomy
complications as the primary objective was to examine if obstructive
lung pathologies led to higher risk of complication. Postoperative
complications were characterized by tracheostomy-related adverse events
occurring within fourteen days of the procedure. Complications were
defined as mucus plugging, trach dislodgement, hemorrhage, wound
breakdown, and infection. Early complication events were those that
occurred on postoperative days zero through six. Late complication
events occurred on postoperative day seven or later.