Stomal maturation does not increase the rate of tracheocutaneous fistulas

To determine the rate of persistent tracheocutaneous fistula (TCF) in pediatric patients managed with stomal maturation at the time of the tracheostomy.

Retrospective chart analysis of all cases of tracheostomy performed at a tertiary pediatric care center between 2001 and 2011.

The use of stomal maturation, number of decannulations, number of persistent TCFs, timing of TCF repair, and the overall mortality were assessed.

A total of 264 patients received tracheostomy between 2001 and 2011. Of the total, 173 (66%) underwent stomal maturation. Of those 173 patients, 89 patients (51% of maturation group) underwent planned decannulation. Forty seven (53%) of the 89 decannulated were found to have a persistent TCF in the stomal maturation group. These were diagnosed an average of 1.3 years (range, 4-43 months) after decannulation. Of the 91 patients (34% of the total) who did not undergo stomal maturation, 44 (48% of nonmaturation group) underwent planned decannulation. Twenty of the 44 patients decannulated (45%) were diagnosed with a residual TCF 8 to 28 months later. Both groups achieved similar rates of decannulation (51% maturation vs. 48% non-maturation [P = .80]) and TCF (27% maturation vs. 22% non-maturation [P = .44]). Overall, mortality rates were (32/173) 18% (matured) versus (26/91) 29% (nonmatured). No mortalities were tracheostomy related. The mean (standard deviation) time from operation to TCF closure among those with TCF was 4.0 (1.9) years.

Comparable rates of persistent TCF with stomal maturation (27%) and without maturation (22%) were found in this single institution's 10-year experience.

4. Laryngoscope, 126:2395-2398, 2016.