INTRODUCTION Children may require tracheostomy due to many different health conditions. Over the last 40 years, indications of tracheostomy have endorsed substantial modifications. OBJECTIVE To evaluate pediatric patients warranted tracheostomy at our Hospital, in regard to their indications, associated comorbidities, complications and decannulation rates. METHODS Retrospective study concer...

Thirty young patients with acquired laryngeal stenosis were treated by means of a laryngofissure and stenting. The age distribution suggested two subgroups: infants aged 0-2 years (n = 24), and children aged 6-16 years (n = 6). The causes of the stenosis and the treatment results were different in these subgroups. Treatment resulted in successful decannulation in 22 of 24 infants, and in 5 of 6...

OBJECTIVE To describe the incidence and outcomes of children with chronic respiratory failure secondary to severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) on chronic positive pressure ventilation (PPV) via tracheostomy at home. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed medical charts of patients with severe BPD who were PPV dependent at home and who were enrolled in a university-affiliated home ventilator ...

INTRODUCTION  In recent decades, airway reconstruction has become the treatment of choice for subglottic stenosis (SGS) in children, which is performed in either single or multiple stages. However, there is evidence in the literature that single-stage surgery is more effective. OBJECTIVE  To evaluate the success rate of single-stage laryngotracheoplasty (LTP) and cricotracheal resection (CTR)...

Tracheostomy is one of the most commonly performed procedures in the ICU. Despite the frequency of the procedure, there remains controversy regarding selection of patients who should undergo tracheostomy, the optimal technique, timing of placement and decannulation, as well as impact on outcome associated with the procedure. A growing body of literature demonstrates that percutaneous tracheost...

INTRODUCTION Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) is frequently observed after extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) decannulation; however, these issues have not been investigated well in the past. METHODS Retrospective chart review was performed to identify post-ECMO SIRS phenomenon, defined by exhibiting 2/3 of the following criteria: fever, leukocytosis, and escalation of v...