Tracheotomy in the First Year of Life: Outcomes in Term Infants, the Vanderbilt Experience

Objective

In an era emphasizing critical care of preterm infants, we characterize the indications and outcomes of tracheotomies performed in the first year of life in term infants compared to preterm infants.

Methods

Retrospective study of 127 tracheotomies performed in the first year of life at a tertiary-care children’s hospital between 1988-2004.

Results

Mean gestational ages of the term and preterm groups were 38.97 and 29.71 weeks, respectively (P < 0.001). Indications for tracheotomy were upper airway abnormalities in 53% for the term group. The number of subsequent airway procedures required was 1.39 in the term group, achieving decannulation in 36.3%, with a 20.5% mortality rate.

Conclusion

Compared to preterm infants, the term decannulation rate was favorable, as chronic lung disease was uncommon. However, non-tracheotomy-related mortalities remained high.

Significance

Tracheotomies are often performed for relief of upper airway obstruction, and congenital and acquired comorbidities not related to tracheotomy are associated with adverse outcomes in term infants.

EBM rating: C-4