Tracheal Stenosis After Intubation and Tracheostomy in Patients Admitted to Intensive Care Units: A Case-Control Study

Background: One of the most dangerous complications after endotracheal intubation or tracheostomy is tracheal stenosis. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the personal and clinical characteristics of tracheal stenosis following intubation or tracheostomy in intensive care unit patients. Methods: This is a nested case-control study. Thirty-five patients who suffered from tracheal stenosis from March 2016 to March 2021 and had been intubated and tracheostomized in intensive care units (ICU) were selected for the case group. The control group included 105 patients intubated and tracheostomized in ICU during the same period without tracheal stenosis. A demographic and clinical characteristics questionnaire was used to collect data from the patients' medical records. Results: The mean length of intubation (P < 0.001), endotracheal and tracheostomy tube cuff pressure (P < 0.001), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (P = 0.043), intubation history (P = 0.045), and airway management (P < 0.001) showed significant differences between the case and control groups. The logistic regression model revealed that COPD (OR = 8.519, P = 0.037), intubation history (OR = 3.939, P = 0.013), length of intubation (OR = 1.118, P = 0.003), age (OR = 0.960, P = 0.030), and endotracheal and tracheostomy tube cuff pressure (OR = 1.988, P < 0.001) were associated with tracheal stenosis. The time interval between intubation/tracheostomy ranged from approximately 28 to 938 days. Conclusions: Given the impact of certain care practices during hospitalization on the occurrence of tracheal stenosis, such as the mean length of intubation, endotracheal and tracheostomy tube cuff pressure, and airway management, it is recommended that standardized training on these interventions be prioritized for staff in intensive care departments. Additionally, attention must be given to specific patient characteristics, such as age, COPD, and history of intubation.