Non-invasive ventilation in children with upper airway obstruction.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this paper is to highlight our experience with the use of non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) in children, neonates and pre-term infants with upper airway obstruction.


METHODS
This was a retrospective review of our recent experience in using NIPPV for the management of upper airway obstruction in paediatric patients.


RESULTS
NIPPV was successful in preventing tracheostomy in patients with significant laryngo-tracheomalacia as well as being used to optimise the timing of surgery in subglottic stenosis. Furthermore, it proved beneficial in stabilising the airway after aryepiglottoplasty and also had a role in the management of obstructive sleep apnoea.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of NIPPV in children with upper airway obstruction can be a safe and effective alternative to invasive mechanical ventilation. NIPPV can potentially be beneficial in avoiding prolonged invasive ventilation, avoiding tracheostomy, stabilizing the airway after extubation or decannulation, and management of obstructive sleep apnoea.
Wormald
R
R
Children's University Hospital, Temple Street, Dublin, Ireland. r_wormald@yahoo.com
Naude
A
A
Rowley
H
H
D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D011175:Positive-Pressure Respiration / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D012135:Respiratory Sounds / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014139:Tracheostomy; D016896:Treatment Outcome