Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 8, 2026

Image Acquisition using Portable Sonography for Emergency Airway Management
07:31

Image Acquisition using Portable Sonography for Emergency Airway Management

Published on: September 28, 2022

Utility of routine postoperative chest radiography in pediatric tracheostomy

Dane J Genther1, Marc C Thorne

  • 1Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, USA.

International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology
|October 19, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Routine chest radiography after pediatric tracheostomy is rarely necessary. A low incidence of air-tracking complications suggests reserving imaging for clinically suspected cases, reducing radiation exposure and costs.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Surgery
  • Thoracic Imaging
  • Critical Care Medicine

Background:

  • Routine chest radiography is standard post-pediatric tracheostomy to detect air-tracking complications.
  • This practice exposes children to unnecessary radiation and incurs significant costs.

Observation:

  • A retrospective study analyzed 421 pediatric patients undergoing tracheostomy.
  • Data were collected from billing, administrative systems, and electronic medical records.

Findings:

  • The incidence of air-tracking complications (pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum) was very low at 0.71%.
  • No correlation was found between complications and surgical specialty, patient age, or procedure type.
  • Clinical suspicion, not routine imaging, identified all three identified complications.

Implications:

  • Postoperative chest radiography following pediatric tracheostomy should be reserved for patients with clinical suspicion of complications.
  • This approach can minimize radiation exposure and healthcare costs in pediatric patients.
  • Further research could explore specific clinical indicators for targeted imaging.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Non-Intubated Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery05:39

Non-Intubated Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery

Published on: May 26, 2023

Endotracheal Intubation via Tracheotomy and Subsequent Thoracotomy in Rats for Non-Survival Applications04:43

Endotracheal Intubation via Tracheotomy and Subsequent Thoracotomy in Rats for Non-Survival Applications

Published on: March 15, 2024

Related Concept Videos

Pneumothorax-II01:27

Pneumothorax-II

Pneumothorax is a medical condition defined by the buildup of air in the pleural space between the lungs and the chest wall. This accumulation of air can lead to partial or complete lung collapse, resulting in a range of clinical manifestations. Understanding the clinical presentation and effective management strategies is crucial for healthcare professionals in providing timely and appropriate care to individuals with pneumothorax.
Clinical Manifestations:
Tracheostomy Care I: Pre-procedural Steps01:16

Tracheostomy Care I: Pre-procedural Steps

A tracheostomy is a surgical technique that involves making an incision in the neck to provide access to the trachea. It is frequently used in medical conditions such as airway obstruction and prolonged mechanical ventilation. Effective nursing management is crucial for the long-term success of a tracheostomy.
Required Equipment
The equipment necessary for tracheostomy care includes:
Tracheostomy: Procedure and Tubes01:28

Tracheostomy: Procedure and Tubes

A tracheostomy is a surgical procedure that creates an artificial opening into the trachea, typically at the second or third cartilaginous ring level. This opening allows the insertion of a tracheostomy tube, which can replace an endotracheal tube, provide mechanical ventilation, bypass an upper airway obstruction, or remove accumulated tracheobronchial secretions.
Tracheostomy tubes can be made of semiflexible plastic (polyurethane or silicone), rigid plastic, or metal, and they come in...
Endoscopic Studies II: Thoracocentesis01:26

Endoscopic Studies II: Thoracocentesis

Thoracentesis(Thoracocentesis), commonly known as pleural tap, is a medical procedure where a 22 gauge needle is inserted into the pleural space, the area between the lung and chest wall. This procedure is commonly performed to diagnose or treat various respiratory disorders.
Description
Excess pleural fluid or air may accumulate in some respiratory disorders in the thoracic cavity. To treat pleural effusion, a physician conducts thoracentesis by carefully piercing the chest wall and entering...
Oxygen Delivering System III: Tracheostomy and T-piece01:23

Oxygen Delivering System III: Tracheostomy and T-piece

Oxygen delivery is critical in clinical care, especially for patients with respiratory disorders or those undergoing surgical procedures. Various systems, such as tracheostomy and the T-piece, deliver oxygen to the lungs, ensuring adequate arterial oxygenation.
Tracheostomy
A tracheostomy is a surgically created opening (stoma) in the anterior part of the trachea. It is used to establish a patient airway, bypass an upper airway obstruction, simplify the removal of secretions, permit long-term...
Endoscopic Studies I: Bronchoscopy and Thoracoscopy01:30

Endoscopic Studies I: Bronchoscopy and Thoracoscopy

Endoscopy is a non-surgical medical technique used to examine a person's internal organs and vessels. This lesson will focus on two types of endoscopic studies: bronchoscopy and thoracoscopy.
Bronchoscopy
Description
Bronchoscopy is a procedure that involves direct visualization of the larynx, trachea, and bronchi for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. A flexible fiber optic or rigid bronchoscope is used to carry out the procedure. The fiber-optic bronchoscope is more frequently used due to...