Tracheostomy complications in children: Single center experience

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the frequency and the type of complications in children with tracheostomy in our center Materials and Methods: Single-center retrospective study of pediatric patients undergoing tracheostomy between 2017 and 2022. Age, sex, indication of tracheostomy, tracheostomy time, the features of complications and presence of mortality were evaluated. Results: Fifty children (22 girls, 28 boys) were included the study. The mean age of patients 93.5 months. The tracheostomy time was before one year of age for 27 patients. The most common indication for tracheostomy was long-term ventilation. There were 30 complications for 23 patients.(46%) We did not report any early complication. The most common late complication was the development of granulation tissue. The second most common complication was cannula obstruction. Only one patient died due to massive bleeding associated with tracheostomy. We decannulated 7 patients (14%). Conclusion: The rates of complication may vary in the literature. The reason for this differentiation may be related to the different study design and population features.Also socio-economic level of the family and the responsibility awareness of the parents may contribute to these factors. Education of parents and caregivers about the appropriate postoperative management is very important for preventing complications rates.