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Pediatric Tracheostomy Wound Healing: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Brian H Odom1, Charlotte Yates, Leah Lowe
1Brian H. Odom, PhD, PT, CWS, is Associate Professor, Harding University, Searcy, Arkansas. At the University of Central Arkansas, Conway, Arkansas, Charlotte Yates, PhD, PT, PCS, is Professor; and Leah Lowe, PhD, PT, PCS, is an Assistant Professor. Lisa VanHoose, PhD, MPH, PT, is an Associate Professor at the University of Louisiana at Monroe.
This study found no significant difference between foam dressings and foam plus wound filler for pediatric tracheostomy wound healing. However, specific patient factors like pressure injury stage may predict faster healing with the combined dressing.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric wound care
- Dermatology
- Surgical complications
Background:
- Tracheostomy wounds in pediatric patients present unique healing challenges.
- Effective wound management is crucial to prevent complications and ensure optimal patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy of two wound dressing types in pediatric tracheostomy wounds.
- To evaluate time to granulation tissue and complete wound healing.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of 93 pediatric patients with tracheostomy wounds.
- Comparison of foam dressing versus foam dressing with wound filler.
- Primary outcomes: time to granulation tissue and wound closure.
Main Results:
- Average wound closure time was 14 days, with no statistically significant difference between dressing types.
- Pressure injury stage was the strongest predictor of healing within 14 days.
- African American patients with stage 2 pressure injury and a PUSH score ≥5 using foam plus wound filler showed an 86% higher likelihood of rapid healing.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric tracheostomy wounds healed effectively with current practices without surgery.
- Incorporating wound filler within the first 14 days may be beneficial, particularly for specific patient profiles.
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