Lack of utility of postoperative chest radiograph in pediatric tracheotomy.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the incidence of pulmonary complications after nonemergent pediatric tracheotomy and to determine whether obtaining a routine postoperative chest radiograph is warranted.


METHODS
Retrospective review of the records of 107 consecutive patients (age 1 month to 18 years) who underwent tracheotomy from October 1994 to June 2000. Main outcome measures included frequency of pulmonary complications and use of information obtained from postoperative chest radiograph for intervention.


METHODS
Tertiary care university children's hospital.


RESULTS
No pneumothoraces or significant pulmonary complications were detected in the immediate postoperative period. No management changes were undertaken as a result of information obtained from any chest radiograph in this period.


CONCLUSIONS
The incidence of significant pulmonary complications after pediatric tracheotomy is low. Little information is obtained from chest radiograph after tracheotomy, and this information does not change management.


CONCLUSIONS
Routine postoperative chest radiograph after pediatric tracheotomy is not indicated in all patients.
Pinto
J M
JM
Section of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Pritzker School of Medicine, The University of Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Ansley
J
J
Baroody
F M
FM
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014140:Tracheotomy