Objective:To investigate the effects of percutaneous tracheostomy to patients in ICU.Methods:To analyze retrospectively the general conditions of operation and complications between 90 patients in treatment with percutaneous tracheostomy(group PT)and 40 patients in treatment with open tracheostomy(group OT) from March 2006 to October 2008.Results: The operation time

blood loss

incision size and recovery time of incision in group PT were superior to those of group OT(P<0.05).The total incidence of complications of group PT were lower than that of group OT(P<0.05).The incidences of subcutaneous emphysema

phlegm flowing from incision

fall out of insertion tube were lower than thos of group OT(P<0.05).Conclusion:Percutaneous tracheostomy is a kind of micro-surgery and low incidence technique and easy to insert and very suitable for patients in ICU.