Tracheotomy in Patients With Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome: Is It Necessary?

Objective: Patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) who develop respiratory failure and require mechanical ventilation have mortality rates of 85%. Tracheotomies are performed in this patient population for prolonged intubation. However, to date, objective data on tracheotomy in patients with AIDS are lacking. Tracheotomy in ventilator-dependent patients with AIDS presents risks to patients and exposes surgeons, nurses, and operating room personnel to human immunodeficiency virus–infected blood. Design: Given these considerations, we retrospectively reviewed our experience with tracheotomy in 10 intubated and ventilator-dependent patients with AIDS. Conclusions: Our study shows a mortality rate of 100%. We identify predictive factors and a prognosis that may aid in the treatment of these patients. (Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1994;120:1126-1129)