Complete cervical spinal cord injury above C6 predicts the need for tracheostomy

Complete cervical spinal cord injury above C6 predicts the need for tracheostomy

This study identified the predictors for tracheostomy in patients with cervical spinal cord injury. Overall, patients with a complete injury above C6 are likely to require tracheostomy. Patients with low level complete injuries, or incomplete injuries at any level, are unlikely to receive tracheostomy. However, these patients should still be assessed for pulmonary distress.