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.