Effects of direct tracheostomy on ventilator weaning in patients intubated for Guillain-Barré syndrome

Background: Whether or not a direct tracheostomy without any prior weaning attempt is beneficial in patients intubated for Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) remains to be determined. Our objective was to determine whether direct tracheostomy results in earlier or later ventilator weaning compared to standard weaning. Methods: Multicenter, retrospective cohort study including all patients intubated for GBS over a 10-year period (2014-2023). We compared patients having undergone direct tracheostomy without any prior weaning attempt with those having undergone standard weaning (spontaneous-breathing trial or extubation attempt). We also compared direct tracheostomy with tracheostomy after weaning failure. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients alive and free from mechanical ventilation 28 days after weaning initiation. Results: Overall, 221 patients (45%) underwent direct tracheostomy and 273 (55%) standard weaning. Compared to patients with standard weaning, those with direct tracheostomy were less likely to be alive and free from mechanical ventilation at day 28 (43% vs. 83%, p < 0.001). Using G-computation to estimate the marginal causal effect of the weaning strategy, standard weaning was more effective than direct tracheostomy in reducing the risk of remaining under mechanical ventilation at day 28: -39.5% [95% Confidence Interval, -47.3% to -31.5%]. Even when compared to patients having undergone tracheostomy after weaning failure, those with direct tracheostomy were less likely to be alive and free from mechanical ventilation 28 days after the tracheostomy procedure. Interpretation: A direct tracheostomy without any prior weaning attempt might significantly delay the ventilator weaning process in patients intubated for GBS. Clinical Trial Registration: NCT07022028.