Tracheostomy in preterm infants: current trends.
OBJECTIVE
To study the indications for and outcomes of tracheostomy in a population of preterm infants.


METHODS
Retrospective analysis of case records.


METHODS
Two university-affiliated tertiary care children's hospitals. Patients We identified premature infants who required tracheostomies from January 1, 1997, through January 31, 2001. Information on weight, gestational age, comorbid conditions, indication for tracheostomy, and outcomes was collected. Infants were divided by birth weight into group 1 (<1000 g; n = 19 [very low birth weight]) and group 2 (> or =1000 g; n = 14). Comorbid conditions were scored and a total score was calculated for each patient.


RESULTS
Group 1 had a higher incidence of patent ductus arteriosus, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, intraventricular hemorrhage, and retinopathy of prematurity. The incidence of congenital or genetic defects was equal in groups 1 and 2 (11 infants [58%] and 8 infants [57%], respectively). Group 1 had a higher average number of failed extubations (5.17 vs 3.18) and a higher oxygen requirement (48.7% vs 30.3%) compared with group 2. Weight at tracheostomy was essentially equal in groups 1 and 2 (3.6 vs 3.7 kg). Subglottic stenosis and laryngotracheomalacia were equally common findings in groups 1 and 2. The average comorbidity score for group 1 was higher than that for group 2 (6.7 vs 2.8). The most common indication for tracheostomy was ventilatory dependence (n = 24 [73%]), compared with airway obstruction (n = 6 [18%]) and pulmonary toilet (n = 3 [9%]). Overall, 6 patients (18%) had a complication related to the tracheostomy.


CONCLUSIONS
Severity of pulmonary disease was the most significant factor associated with the need for tracheostomy in preterm infants. A tracheostomy can safely be performed in these infants with minimal morbidity.
Pereira
Kevin D
KD
Department of Otolaryngology, The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, 6431 Fannin Street, Suite 6.112, Houston, TX 77030, USA. kpereira@uth.tmc.edu
MacGregor
Allison R
AR
McDuffie
Chad M
CM
Mitchell
Ron B
RB
D001724:Birth Weight; D001997:Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia / Q000150:complications; D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000150:complications; D015897:Comorbidity; D004374:Ductus Arteriosus, Patent / Q000150:complications; D005865:Gestational Age; D005931:Glottis; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D007829:Laryngostenosis / Q000150:complications; D009516:New Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D018579:Patient Selection; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D012178:Retinopathy of Prematurity / Q000150:complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013781:Texas / Q000453:epidemiology; D014139:Tracheostomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000639:trends*; D016896:Treatment Outcome