S u m m a r y: Percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy is a less invasive alternative of surgical tracheostomy. The authors performed 144 tracheostomies at their ENT department from 1993 to 2000. 105 operations were made by the percutaneous dilatational way according to Griggs and 39 operations by classical surgical tracheostomy according to Jacksons. Both methods, the occurrence and severity of complications are compared. The occurrence of complications can be to a large extent reduced by the endoscopie supervision in each stage of operation. A proficient surgeon, who is able to convert the operation into classical tracheostomy and who is a good endoscopist, should perform the operation. The number of complications becomes stable with the number of performed tracheostomies.

        Key words: percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy, surgical tracheostomy, minitracheostomy, endoscopy.