title: Is tracheotomy decannulation possible in oxygen-dependent children?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The goal was to determine whether decannulation can be safely achieved in children with persistent oxygen requirements.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was a prospective evaluation of 12 oxygen-dependent children at a tertiary care academic children's medical center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve tracheotomy-dependent children with persistent oxygen requirements were evaluated for decannulation. Patients requiring more than 35% FiO(2) were not considered. Direct laryngoscopy and bronchoscopy were performed in all patients. Two required single-stage laryngotracheoplasty to correct subglottic stenosis, 1 required tracheal resection, and 7 required removal of suprastomal granulation tissue. Oxygen was administered after decannulation through a nasal cannula.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Decannulation was successful in 92% (11 of 12) of patients. At final follow-up, oxygen requirements decreased in 58% of patients after decannulation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Decannulation can be successful in children who remain oxygen dependent; conversion to a more physiologic airway may be an adjunct to reducing or eliminating their oxygen demand.
authors.affiliation: Divisions of Otolaryngology and Pediatric Pulmonology and the School of Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, USA.
authors.forename: N A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Picerno
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Bent
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hammond
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Pennington
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Guill
authors.forename: V L
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Hudson
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Deane
mesh_terms: D001997:Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia / Q000601:surgery*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006097:Granulation Tissue / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D014140:Tracheotomy