Tracheostomy in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit: Experience from Eastern India

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Critical Care Medicine
• Pediatric Surgery

Background:

• Tracheostomy is a common surgical intervention for critically ill children.
• Limited literature exists on pediatric tracheostomy, necessitating further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate indications, timing, complications, and outcomes of tracheostomy in pediatric patients.
• To analyze trends in tracheostomy procedures within a pediatric intensive care unit.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective study design.
• Data collected from patient records between January 2016 and December 2019.
• Analysis of 26 pediatric tracheostomy cases.

Main Results:

• Prolonged mechanical ventilation (92%) was the leading indication for tracheostomy.
• Complications occurred in 55% of patients, including accidental decannulation and occlusion.
• 80% of patients were successfully discharged, with many going home after decannulation or with a tracheostomy tube.

Conclusions:

• Tracheostomy indications are shifting towards more elective procedures.
• Prolonged mechanical ventilation remains the primary indication.
• A two-week timeframe for tracheostomy is considered reasonable and can be performed safely at the bedside in pediatric intensive care.