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Tracheostomy in infants and young children

D B Hawkins, E H Williams

    The Laryngoscope
    |March 1, 1976
    PubMed

    Insights

    Pediatric tracheostomies in children under three years old show that avoiding complications is key. Patient age and the reason for the procedure significantly impact survival and tracheostomy duration.

    Area of Science:

    • Pediatric Surgery
    • Otolaryngology

    Background:

    • Tracheostomy is a critical intervention in pediatric care.
    • Understanding complication rates and prognostic factors is essential for improving outcomes in young children.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To analyze the outcomes of tracheostomies performed in children aged three years and under.
    • To identify factors influencing prognosis, including complications, patient age, and indication for the procedure.

    Main Methods:

    • Retrospective review of 73 pediatric tracheostomies over a 52-month period.
    • Data collection included patient demographics, indications for tracheostomy, operative and postoperative complications, and mortality.
    • Analysis focused on identifying predictors of survival and tracheostomy duration.

    Main Results:

    • Forty-one tracheostomies were for upper airway obstruction, 23 for ventilation/suction, and 9 for combined conditions.
    • Operative complications occurred in 10 patients; postoperative complications in 16. Interstitial air was most common; cannula obstruction was most fatal.
    • Twenty deaths occurred: 16 disease-related and 4 tracheostomy-related.

    Conclusions:

    • In pediatric tracheostomy, avoiding serious operative and postoperative complications is paramount.
    • Patient age and the underlying condition requiring tracheostomy are critical determinants of long-term survival and duration of the procedure.
    • Careful management and patient selection can optimize outcomes for pediatric tracheostomy patients.

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