Polysomnography in the evaluation of readiness for decannulation in children.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether polysomnography is useful in the evaluation of readiness for decannulation in children with long-term tracheotomy.


METHODS
Descriptive, retrospective case series.


METHODS
Tertiary care pediatric center, pediatric sleep disorders laboratory, and pediatric otolaryngology referral center.


METHODS
Children (younger than 18 years) with tracheotomy undergoing polysomnography to assess their dependence on tracheotomy.


METHODS
Polysomnography in all patients; endoscopy and decannulation in those judged clinically ready.


METHODS
Success of decannulation.


RESULTS
Thirteen of 16 patients with favorable polysomnographic data were successfully decannulated.


CONCLUSIONS
Polysomnography is a useful supplement to airway endoscopy in the evaluation of readiness for decannulation in children with long-term tracheotomy and dynamic airway issues.
Tunkel
D E
DE
Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md., USA.
McColley
S A
SA
Baroody
F M
FM
Marcus
C L
CL
Carroll
J L
JL
Loughlin
G M
GM
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000295:instrumentation; D017286:Polysomnography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014140:Tracheotomy / Q000295:instrumentation