Anesthetic Management for Pediatric Awake Tracheostomy

Area of Science:

• Anesthesiology
• Pediatric Otolaryngology

Background:

• Awake tracheostomy is an established procedure for acute airway obstruction in adults when intubation or cricothyrotomy is not feasible or has failed.
• Its application in pediatrics is infrequent due to concerns regarding patient cooperation, safety, and a lack of published literature.

Observation:

• The study details the anesthetic management of a 7-year-old girl requiring an awake tracheostomy.
• The indication was a large supraglottic mass causing significant laryngeal introitus obstruction.

Findings:

• Successful anesthetic management was achieved for an awake tracheostomy in a pediatric patient.
• This procedure was performed as a life-saving measure for acute upper airway obstruction caused by a supraglottic mass.

Implications:

• This case highlights the feasibility and safety of awake tracheostomy in select pediatric patients.
• It suggests that awake tracheostomy can be a valuable alternative in pediatric airway emergencies, expanding management options.
• Further research into pediatric awake tracheostomy protocols is warranted.