Pediatric Tracheotomy: A Relatively Rare Indication Limited to Pediatric Intensive Care Subjects?

Abstract

Objective:To evaluate indications, underlying conditions and outcome in pediatric tracheotomy subjects.Methods:Between January 2004 and September 2013, pediatric subjects who underwent a tracheotomy operation were included for study. All subjects were under the age of 14. Subjects’ primary diseases, indication of tracheotomy, age, gender and type of complications were recorded.Results:Forty five subjects were identified. The mean age of subjects was 26.3 months (range between 2 to 140 months). Twenty one (46.6%) subjects were under the age of 1 year. In 34 (75.5%) out of 45 subjects, tracheotomy indication was prolonged intubation. In the remaining 11 (24.4%) subjects, tracheotomy indication was upper respiratory tract obstruction. Thirteen (n=13- 28.8%) out of 45 experienced early complications and 2 (n=2-4.5%) out of 45 subjects experienced late complications. One tracheotomy related death occurred in the immediate period. Eight (18.1%) of subjects died during the study period from underlying conditions. Decannulation was successfully performed in 13 (36.1%) subjects. In the remaining 23 (63.8%) subjects, decannulation could not be done.Conclusion:All tracheotomies in this report were performed on pediatric intensive care subjects on an elective basis. No tracheotomy was performed for acute upper airway obstruction. Even when planned and elective tracheotomy is performed it still has significant mortality and morbidity.

Keywords

• pediatric
• tracheotomy
• intensive care
• complication