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. 1998 May;133(5):537-9; discussion 539-40.
doi: 10.1001/archsurg.133.5.537.

Tracheostomy in the young pediatric burn patient

C E Coln  1 , G F Purdue, J L Hunt
Affiliations

Tracheostomy in the young pediatric burn patient

C E Coln et al. Arch Surg. 1998 May.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the incidence of complications in comparison with the benefits of tracheostomy in young pediatric burn patients (newborn to 3 years old).

Design: Retrospective survey.

Setting: Tertiary care burn center.

Patients: A total of 1549 consecutive pediatric burn patients, of whom 180 were intubated.

Interventions: Tracheostomy was performed in 76 children.

Main outcome measures: Duration of mechanical ventilation, mortality, respiratory complications, airway complications, and condition of the airway at discharge from the hospital.

Results: Seventy-six patients required tracheostomy. Their mean burn size was 34% total body surface area and mean length of stay in the hospital was 56 days. There were no perioperative complications. Eight patients (10%) could not be decannulated because of airway obstruction. Five of these outgrew their obstruction, 2 required surgery, and 1 continues to be evaluated for laryngeal reconstruction.

Conclusion: Pediatric tracheostomy can be performed safely with no perioperative complications and acceptable chronic morbidity.

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