Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 20, 2026
Endotracheal Intubation via Tracheotomy and Subsequent Thoracotomy in Rats for Non-Survival Applications
Published on: March 15, 2024
Tracheostomy in pediatric burn patients
Soman Sen1, Jonathan Heather2, Tina Palmieri1
1Department of Surgery, Division of Burn Surgery, Shriners Hospital for Children Northern California, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States.
Insights
In pediatric burn patients, the duration of tracheostomy is determined by the extent of the burn, not the patient's age. This finding impacts airway management strategies for young burn survivors.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric critical care
- Burn management
- Airway surgery
Background:
- Tracheostomy is a common procedure for securing airways in pediatric burn patients.
- While generally safe, tracheostomy duration in this population may be influenced by patient age and burn severity.
- This study investigated whether burn-related factors or age primarily dictate tracheostomy removal time.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the factors influencing tracheostomy duration in pediatric burn patients.
- To test the hypothesis that burn extent, rather than age, is the primary determinant for tracheostomy removal.
Main Methods:
- A 5-year retrospective review of pediatric burn patients (≤18 years) who underwent tracheostomy.
- Patients were stratified into three age groups (0-2, >2-12, >12-18 years).
- Data analyzed included total body surface area burn (TBSA), ventilation days, and tracheostomy duration.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in TBSA, length of stay, or mortality were observed across age groups.
- Ventilator days and tracheostomy duration did not differ significantly between age groups.
- Multivariate analysis revealed that TBSA, not age, independently predicted longer tracheostomy duration.
Conclusions:
- Tracheostomy duration in pediatric burn patients is significantly influenced by the extent of the burn (TBSA).
- Age is not an independent predictor of how long a tracheostomy is needed in this cohort.
- Burn severity is a key factor to consider when managing tracheostomy in pediatric burn care.
Background:
Tracheostomy is often performed in the pediatric burn population to establish secure airways. Tracheostomy is safe in this population, but the duration of tracheostomy may be related to age and extent and severity of burn. We hypothesized that burn related factors and not age determine the time to removal of a tracheostomy in pediatric burn patients.
Methods:
A 5-year retrospective review was performed for pediatric burn patients (age ≤18 years) who underwent tracheostomy. Patients were divided into three groups by age (group 1: 0 to ≤2 years, group 2: >2 to ≤12 years, group 3: >12 to ≤18 years). Data collected included: age, total body surface area burn injured (TBSA), gender, mechanism of injury, diagnosis of inhalation injury, mortality, time from injury to admission, time from admission to placement of tracheostomy, time of injury to placement of tracheostomy, duration of tracheostomy, days of mechanical ventilation, and tracheostomy related complications.
Results:
45 patients were reviewed. There were no differences in TBSA, length of ICU stay, length of hospital stay, and mortality between the three groups. Additionally, there were no differences in ventilator days and duration of tracheostomy. Multivariate linear regression analysis indicated that TBSA and not age independently increased the duration of tracheostomy.
Conclusion:
Tracheostomy duration is dependent on the extent of burn in pediatric burn patients.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Tracheostomy Decannulation
Description of the Procedure
Decannulation refers to the permanent removal of the tracheostomy tube, signaling the resolution of the condition that initially necessitated the tracheostomy. The process requires a well-coordinated interplay between...
01:28Tracheostomy: Procedure and Tubes
Tracheostomy tubes can be made of semiflexible plastic (polyurethane or silicone), rigid plastic, or metal, and they come in...
01:23Oxygen Delivering System III: Tracheostomy and T-piece
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...
01:16Tracheostomy Care I: Pre-procedural Steps
Required Equipment
The equipment necessary for tracheostomy care includes:
01:16Oxygen Delivering System II: Venturi Mask and Transtracheal Oxygen
Venturi Mask
The Venturi mask, named after the Venturi effect, is designed to deliver precise oxygen concentrations. It consists of a large tube with an oxygen inlet that narrows down, causing a pressure drop that pulls air in through adjustable side ports. The mask is a lightweight,...
01:25Tracheostomy Care II: Procedure
Step 1: Perform hand hygiene, and put on personal protective equipment: gown, gloves, mask...