Most procedures performed in the intensive care unit are invasive: tracheal intubation, tracheostomy, central catheterization, chest tubes and others. However, they are not without complications that can be life-threatening. The aim of this prospective epidemiological study is to assess the incidence of complications arising from invasive procedures performed in the ICU, and to analyze certain risk factors that expose patients to these complications. This was a prospective study of 453 invasive procedures performed in the various intensive care units of Casablanca University Hospital, over a period of 18 months, using 4 data sheets. In our series, central venous catheters accounted for 66% of invasive procedures. The average age of our patients was 40 years, and 67% were male. The main complications associated with the placement of central venous catheters are: Hematoma (16%); pneumothorax (3%), aberrant trajectory (4%) and thrombosis (3%). The incidence of hematoma is 20% when the procedure is performed on-call, and 38.3% when the operator has more than 2 years’ experience. The second most frequently performed invasive procedure is tracheostomy, with a percentage of 16%, which most frequently cited complications are as follows: bleeding (12%), pneumothorax (8%), and subcutaneous emphysema (9%). Statistical analysis showed that there was no correlation between the occurrence of complications and the risk factors studied. Other complications accounted for less than 10%. The outcome of intensive care patients has improved considerably, thanks to the protocols proposed by the various hospitals. Reducing complications is an important objective, in which the importance of learning the procedure and the experience of the operator should figure prominently.
Authors: Chabar S. , Jamali S. , Benhamdoune M. , Faouji F. Z. , Mounir A. , Hamidi C. Elkettani EL , Barrou L. 
Published: April 2024

Most procedures performed in the intensive care unit are invasive: tracheal intubation, tracheostomy, central catheterization, chest tubes and others. However, they are not without complications that can be life-threatening. The aim of this prospective epidemiological study is to assess the incidence of complications arising from invasive procedures performed in the ICU, and to analyze certain risk factors that expose patients to these complications. This was a prospective study of 453 invasive procedures performed in the various intensive care units of Casablanca University Hospital, over a period of 18 months, using 4 data sheets. In our series, central venous catheters accounted for 66% of invasive procedures. The average age of our patients was 40 years, and 67% were male. The main complications associated with the placement of central venous catheters are: Hematoma (16%); pneumothorax (3%), aberrant trajectory (4%) and thrombosis (3%). The incidence of hematoma is 20% when the procedure is performed on-call, and 38.3% when the operator has more than 2 years’ experience. The second most frequently performed invasive procedure is tracheostomy, with a percentage of 16%, which most frequently cited complications are as follows: bleeding (12%), pneumothorax (8%), and subcutaneous emphysema (9%). Statistical analysis showed that there was no correlation between the occurrence of complications and the risk factors studied. Other complications accounted for less than 10%. The outcome of intensive care patients has improved considerably, thanks to the protocols proposed by the various hospitals. Reducing complications is an important objective, in which the importance of learning the procedure and the experience of the operator should figure prominently.