Percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT) is a minimally invasive technique for securing the airway in a critically ill patient without the need for transporting them to the operating room for a formal open procedure.

This site is devoted to the description of PDT techniques, a BLOG for the discussion of PDT related issues, concerns and complications, and a proposal or template for getting a PDT program started in your medical center.

The PDT technique presented is known as SL-PDT. “SL” stands for suspension laryngoscopy assisted PDT. It is a technique designed to address the airway safety issues commonly held by otolaryngologists. Furthermore, it enables the timely delivery of the tracheostomy to patients who may be considered difficult or too challenging for the traditional technique by virtue of minute ventilation requirements, peak or end tidal pressures, or clinical instability that may preclude transport to the OR.

The way to build a program at your facility depends on many factors. The first and foremost is the recognition that your current system is not only providing suboptimal care but also costing you a very large amount in expenses and in diminished revenue. The pages of this site will go over the factors that make up the requisite steps for program development.