Percutaneous tracheostomy by Griggs technique under rigid bronchoscopic guidance is safe and feasible in children.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study is to report prospective data of pediatric cases that underwent percutaneous tracheostomy (PT) to show that PT is a safe and feasible procedure in children even in small infants.


METHODS
PT was done in 51 consecutive patients. Demographic data, indications, complications and outcome were recorded prospectively. Initial 6 PT was done by Giaglia technique whereas the Griggs technique was used in the consecutive 45 patients.


RESULTS
Fifty-one patients with mean age of 38±54months (1month-17years) and, mean weight of 12.4±13kg underwent PT. The only major complication was perforation of esophagus (n=1, 2%) which was recognized early and immediately repaired by cervical approach. This complication occurred in the 6th case done with the Giaglia technique. After conversion to the Griggs technique no major complication was encountered in the consecutive 45 procedures. The mean period of follow up was 21±13.7months. Narrowing of the stoma site requiring simple dilation was developed in 3 (5.8%) patients.


CONCLUSIONS
PT is a safe and easy procedure and a less invasive alternative to surgical tracheostomy even in small infants. We strongly recommend PT done by Griggs technique in children. It is important that it should be done in an operating room setting and under rigid bronchoscopic guidance.
Department of Pediatric Surgery, Ankara University Medical Faculty, Ankara, Turkey. Electronic address: drggollu@yahoo.com.
Gulnur
G
Gollu
Department of Pediatric Surgery, Ankara University Medical Faculty, Ankara, Turkey.
Ufuk
U
Ates
Department of Pediatric Anesthesiology, Ankara University Medical Faculty, Ankara, Turkey.
Ozlem S
OS
Can
Department of Pediatric Intensive Care, Ankara University Medical Faculty, Ankara, Turkey.
Tanil
T
Kendirli
Department of Pediatric Surgery, Ankara University Medical Faculty, Ankara, Turkey.
Aydin
A
Yagmurlu
Department of Pediatric Surgery, Ankara University Medical Faculty, Ankara, Turkey.
Murat
M
Cakmak
Department of Pediatric Surgery, Ankara University Medical Faculty, Ankara, Turkey.
Tanju
T
Aktug
Department of Pediatric Surgery, Ankara University Medical Faculty, Ankara, Turkey.
Hüseyin
H
Dindar
Department of Pediatric Surgery, Ankara University Medical Faculty, Ankara, Turkey.
Meltem
M
Bingol-Kologlu
D000293:Adolescent; D020680:Bronchoscopes; D001999:Bronchoscopy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014139:Tracheostomy / Q000379:methods*
Bronchoscopy; Children; Infant; Percutaneous; Tracheostomy