Tamir SO, et al. - In order to describe the demographics, risk factors, and outcomes of early (≤ 14 d after ventilation) vs late surgical tracheostomy (≥ 15 d after ventilation), researchers studied a single-center experience of surgical tracheostomy in mechanically ventilated patients. No association of late surgical tracheostomy with increased 30-d morbidity or mortality rates was noted in elderly subjects. Thirty-day mortality rate was more associated with comorbid conditions and subject age rather than surgical tracheostomy timing.