Tracheal Structural Changes in Tracheostomy-Dependent Children With Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

Patients with severe Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) are prone to upper airway complications due to their need for prolonged intubation, early tracheostomy placement, and chronic high-pressure ventilation. This study examines structural changes over time in tracheostomy-dependent BPD patients compared to those without BPD.

A retrospective cohort study of children who underwent tracheostomy at an age less than 6 months at a tertiary-care children's hospital between January 2012 and December 2022.

A total of 82 patients underwent tracheostomy at an age of less than 6 months, of which 42 (51.2%) had BPD. Patients with BPD were older at the time of tracheostomy (4.44 vs. 3.36 months, p = 0.012) and had a younger gestational age (26.5 vs. 37.0 weeks, p < 0.001). Additionally, patients with BPD had higher rates of mechanical ventilation (42/42 vs. 24/40, p = 0.0018) and a greater number of days intubated prior to tracheostomy (92 vs. 21, p < 0.001). The median follow-up period for all patients was 28.8 months [IQR = 36.8]. BPD infants were more likely to develop subglottic stenosis (30/42 vs. 16/40, p = 0.0082), glottic edema (32/42 vs. 19/40, p = 0.0074), require laryngotracheal reconstruction (16/42 vs. 5/40, p = 0.0095) and get decannulated (21/42 vs. 8/40, p = 0.0045) compared to infants without BPD.

Tracheostomy-dependent infants with BPD had higher rates of glottic edema, subglottic stenosis, and laryngotracheal reconstruction but were more likely to be decannulated. These findings suggest that, despite increased airway pathology, tracheostomy is a safe and effective intervention in this population, with outcomes comparable to other pediatric cohorts.

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