Elective tracheostomy in mechanically ventilated children.
Tracheostomy is an important procedure in children requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation. We conducted a retrospective study to assess the frequency, indications, postoperative course and short-term outcome of elective tracheostomy in a Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) of Pakistan. Twenty-five patients underwent tracheostomy in last 5 years (2.2 % of all PICU admissions). Mean age of patients was 6 years and 60% were male. The most common indication for tracheostomy was prolonged mechanical ventilation secondary to neurological disease (60%), followed by upper airway obstruction (40%). Major complications included accidental decannulation (20%) and tube obstruction (20%). Three patients (12%) developed ventilator-associated pneumonia after tracheostomy change while persistent bacterial colonization of trachea was observed in 8 patients (32%). Decannulation was achieved in 40% (10/25). There was no mortality related to tracheostomy in this series.
Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi.
Prem Kumar
PK
Maheshwari
Muhammad Rehan
MR
Khan
Anwarul
A
Haque
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010154:Pakistan; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014139:Tracheostomy