Background:

In patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), there is a lack of consensus about the need and time to perform a tracheostomy. Nowadays, the decision is individualized to each case. It is considered that patients that will need a tracheostomy profit by performing it earlier.

Patients and methods:

An observational and prospective study was performed. One hundred and twenty patients in a period of 18 months between 2016 and 2018, older than 18 years, with severe TBI at the first 24 h of trauma were analyzed. Clinical, biochemical, and radiological findings at admission were measured; patients were followed up until discharge. The statistical analysis was made with Student's t-test, χ2, and prevalence risk ratio.

Results:

Ten associated factors were grouped according to the prevalence risk ratio. The principal factors were CRASH score, IMPACT score, SAPS II score, APACHE II score, age, revised trauma score, Glasgow Coma Scale, subdural hematoma, uni or bilateral abnormal pupil reactivity, and collapse of basal cisterns.

Conclusions:

We conclude that there are multiple factors associated with the need for tracheostomy in adult patients with severe TBI and it is possible to predict according to our findings from admission which patients will profit by this procedure.