Tracheostomy decannulation readiness: A cross sectional study comparing standardised evaluation for tacheostomy decannulation to flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing examination

INTRODUCTION: Tracheostomy is a procedure commonly performed in neurocritical and mechanically ventilated patients in the intensive care unit. Dysphagia and impaired airway protection are the main causes for a delay in tracheostomy decannulation in patients with neurological disorders. Endoscopic evaluation is an objective examination of readiness for tracheostomy decannulation with flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) as the most commonly used method, yet it requires special expertise and is heavily dependent on its operator in assessing the parameters. A relatively new method for assessing decannulation readiness in neurologic disorder, the Standardized Endoscopic Swallowing Evaluation for Tracheostomy Decannulation (SESETD) was introduced in 2013 by Warnecke, et al. This method includes stepwise evaluation of secretion management, spontaneous swallowing and laryngeal sensitivity. This study aims to find conformity between the SESETD and FEES in assessing readiness for tracheostomy decannulation in patients with neurologic disorders.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study is a cross-sectional study conducted on 36 neurologic patients at Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital which was aimed to find the agreement between two modalities for tracheostomy decannulation readiness, FEES and SESETD based on parameters, standing secretion, spontaneous swallowing and laryngeal sensitivity.

RESULT: A total of 36 subjects were examined and 22 of them underwent successful tracheostomy decannulation. The agreement between FEES and SESETD showed significant results with p-value <0.0001 and Kappa value = 0.47.

CONCLUSION: There was conformity between FEES and SESETD in evaluating tracheostomy decannulation readiness based on three parameters: standing secretion, spontaneous swallowing and laryngeal sensitivity.