Tracheostomy in children with croup: a retrospective study of the mortality and morbidity at the Hartford Hospital.

UPPER AND LOVCEI~ respiratory tract obstruction, particularly as seen in acute croup, is a well-recognized paediatric emergency which requires rapid mechanical relief. Until recently the most prevalent method of achieving this was through the use of a traeheostomy, the hazards of which, particularly in the young age group, are well known. Throughout the period of this study it has been the policy of the paediatric department of the Hartford Hospital thai any "croupy" child be seen by the attending paediatrician, an anaesthesiologist, and an otolaryngologist for evaluation of the need for surgical relief of respiratory distress. This retrospective study was undertaken to evaluate the problems encountered with tracheostomies in children with the diagnosis of croup and to evaluate the "team approach" to croup, with its inherent inetBeiency and possibility of delay, which are major hazards in the relief of acute respiratory distress.