Resource allocation in terms of terms of costs, time, and personnel involved for the two procedures all favored the percutaneous method-the procedure cost $460 less than the open technique, took almost five minutes less time, and involved one fewer individual-but this may be explained by the fact that trainees tend to favor the open technique, which would take a longer time and involve more personnel if it is performed by an individual with less experience.
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March 2007The authors conclude from this meta-analysis that percutaneous tracheotomies trend toward fewer overall complications than open techniques and appear to be more cost-effective by releasing operating room resources including time and personnel, provide greater feasibility in terms of bedside capability, and allow nonsurgeons to safely perform the procedure.
(Laryngoscope 2007;117:447-54)
©2007 The Triological Society