Percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy in adult intensive care: An ANZICS consensus statement

Percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT) is a commonly performed procedure in intensive care units; However, the high-quality evidence base guiding many aspects of its practice remains limited, resulting in variation across clinicians and institutions. This statement was drafted by a panel of experts, later reviewed by an expert working group comprising representatives from the Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society and the College of Intensive Care Medicine, and endorsed by the boards of both organisations. The recommendations presented are based on the best available evidence and, where evidence is scarce, on structured expert consensus. The scope of this statement is confined to PDT in adult intensive care patients. This document reflects current practice at the time of publication and is intended to be a living document, subject to regular review to include emerging evidence and evolving standards of care. In summary, this consensus statement provides evidence-informed, expert-guided recommendations to standardise PDT practice in adult ICUs across Australia and New Zealand, while acknowledging current variability and gaps in the evidence base.