Fig. 2

Compare secondary outcomes between ET, IMT, and LT. a total MV time, b MV time after tracheostomy, c time receiving tracheostomy before tracheostomy, d duration of sedation, e duration of ICU stays, f duration of hospital stays. Boxes represent IQR, center lines denote the median and symbol plus (+) denote mean. The upper whisker line represents the smaller value between the maximum in the data set and 75th percentile plus 1.5 times IQR. Grouping criteria I: ET (≤ 5d), IMT (5 < d ≤ 10), LT (> 10d). Grouping criteria II: ET (≤ 7d), IMT (7 < d ≤ 14), LT (> 14d). The lower whisker line represents the greater value between the minimum and the 25th percentile minus 1.5 IQR. n = number, IQR = interquartile range, MV = mechanical ventilation, ICU = intensive care unit, ET = early tracheostomy, IMT = intermediate tracheostomy, LT = late tracheostomy