Study of Demographic Profile of Organophosphate Compound Poisoning with Special Reference to Early Versus Late Tracheostomy in Tertiary Care Hospital in Rural Area

Tracheostomy is commonly performed life saving procedure. Organophosphorus compound poisoning is a very common emergency encountered in rural area where major population consists of agricultural workers. Ideal timing of tracheostomy is still controversial. Aim of the study is to assess the advantage of performing early (48 h–7 days) versus late tracheostomy (8–15 days) with regard to weaning from a ventilator, complications and length of hospital stay. This is a comparative retrospective interventional study in which 100 patients of organophosphorus poisoning who underwent tracheostomy during hospital stay due to prolonged intubation were analyzed. Study subjects were divided into two groups. Each group constitute of 50 patients each. Group A: Early tracheostomy (48 h–7 days) and Group B: Late tracheostomy (8–15 days). Early tracheostomy required a shorter duration of mechanical ventilator support (4–5 days) when compared to late tracheostomy (5–8 days), p < 0.05 and early tracheostomy facilitate early weaning. There was high incidence of complications in late tracheostomy group as compare to early tracheostomy group. Duration of hospital stay was also longer in Group B (mean 40 days) as compare to Group A (mean 32 days) with p < 0.05. We concluded that, early tracheostomy was associated with shorter duration of mechanical ventilator support, it helps for early weaning, shorted intensive care unit and hospital stay as compare to late tracheostomy.