title: Paediatric tracheostomy: persistent tracheo-cutaneous fistula following decannulation.
abstract: A retrospective analysis of 101 children with tracheostomies, all performed for upper airway obstruction and who were decannulated in a single department, is reported. Persistent tracheo-cutaneous fistula occurred in 43% of patients and this was significantly related to age at tracheostomy and duration of tracheostomy. The operation of tracheo-cutaneous fistula closure is described.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Hospital for Sick Children, London, U.K.
authors.forename: H T
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Joseph
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jani
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Preece
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Bailey
authors.forename: J N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Evans
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000601:surgery; D002404:Catheterization; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D005402:Fistula / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D014133:Tracheal Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D014139:Tracheostomy / Q000009:adverse effects*