Tracheotomy in the first year of life: outcomes in term infants, the Vanderbilt experience.
OBJECTIVE
In an era emphasizing critical care of preterm infants, we characterize the indications and outcomes of tracheotomies performed in the first year of life in term infants compared to preterm infants.


METHODS
Retrospective study of 127 tracheotomies performed in the first year of life at a tertiary-care children's hospital between 1988-2004.


RESULTS
Mean gestational ages of the term and preterm groups were 38.97 and 29.71 weeks, respectively (P < 0.001). Indications for tracheotomy were upper airway abnormalities in 53% for the term group. The number of subsequent airway procedures required was 1.39 in the term group, achieving decannulation in 36.3%, with a 20.5% mortality rate.


CONCLUSIONS
Compared to preterm infants, the term decannulation rate was favorable, as chronic lung disease was uncommon. However, non-tracheotomy-related mortalities remained high.


CONCLUSIONS
Tracheotomies are often performed for relief of upper airway obstruction, and congenital and acquired comorbidities not related to tracheotomy are associated with adverse outcomes in term infants.


METHODS
C-4.
Wootten
Christopher T
CT
Department of Otolaryngology, Vanderbilt University, 7209 Medical Center East, 1215 21st Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37232-8605, USA. christopher.t.wootten@vanderbilt.edu
French
Lesley C
LC
Thomas
Robert G
RG
Neblett
Wallace W
WW
Werkhaven
Jay A
JA
Cofer
Shelagh A
SA
D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000151:congenital / Q000601:surgery; D001997:Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia / Q000601:surgery; D002423:Cause of Death; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005865:Gestational Age; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D015619:Respiratory System Abnormalities / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014140:Tracheotomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome