ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to determine our experience about pediatric tracheostomy indications, timing and complicatons and review of the literature.

Retrospective analysis of 53 patients who underwent tracheostomy from January 2012 to October 2014 were evaluated. Data analyzed included age, gender, indications for tracheostomy, tracheostomy timing and complications.

Twenty eight(%52.8) female and 25(%47.2) male total 53 patients were evaluated in this study. The median age was 36.88±44.58(2-191 months) months. Neurological diseases were the most common indications for tracheostomy (32 patients, %60.4). Another indications for tracheostomy were prolonged intubation (12 patients,%22.6), upper airway obstruction (6 patients,%11.3), vocal cord paralysis (2 patients,%3.8) and trauma (1 patient, %1.9) in our study. Mechanical ventilation duration times were 29.6±39.12 days before tracheostomy. There were perioperative complications at 14 patients (26%).

In our study, neurological diseases were the most common indications for tracheostomy. Trachoestomy has low mortality and morbidity rates when placed at pediatric intensive care units.

Keywords: pediatric tracheostomy, indications, complications