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
©2006 American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Foundation, Inc. All rights reserved.
