Introduction: Evidence for factors determining paediatric tracheostomy decannulation vary extensively; therefore, this prospective observational study aimed to investigate these factors.   Materials and Methods: In total, 67 consecutive paediatric patients (<12 years old) who referred to the Department of Otolaryngology, (Postgraduate Institute Medical Education and Research),(Chandigarh), ...

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the importance of flexible bronchoscopy in tracheostomy patients in the process of decannulation to assess the incidence and types of laryngotracheal injury and compare the presence of such lesions with clinical criteria used for decannulation. METHODS We studied 51 tracheostomized patients aged between 19 and 87 years, with tracheal stent for a mean of 46 ± 28 days and ...

OBJECTIVE To examine the role of polysomnography (PSG) in helping determine readiness of tracheostomized patients for decannulation. STUDY DESIGN Case series with chart review of pediatric patients who underwent PSG with tracheostomy tube in place with the goal of decannulation. SETTING Tertiary care pediatric center. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Twenty-eight tracheostomized patients who underwen...

IMPORTANCE Tracheotomy is a common procedure. Postoperative care is usually managed by nonexpert clinicians. Prolonged decannulation is associated with a high incidence of complications. At present, no clinical protocol exists to guide clinicians through decannulation. To address this deficiency, we developed a low-risk tracheotomy clinical pathway. OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of our lo...

BACKGROUND Tracheostomy is a common surgical procedure performed on critically ill patients. However, little is known about how clinicians make decisions to decannulate patients, and whether similar decisions are made by respiratory therapists (RTs) and physicians. METHODS We performed a cross-sectional survey of RTs (n = 52) and physicians (n = 102) at 54 medical centers in North America, to...

BACKGROUND Although tracheostomy is probably the most common surgical procedure performed on critically ill patients, it is unknown when a tracheostomy tube can be safely removed. METHODS We performed a cross-sectional survey of physicians and respiratory therapists with expertise in the management of tracheostomized patients at 118 medical centers to characterize contemporary opinions about ...

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS To determine risk factors for decannulation failure after laryngotracheal reconstruction performed at a single institution over a 10-year period. STUDY DESIGN This is a retrospective cohort study. METHODS The study population included 95 adult patients who underwent laryngotracheal reconstruction at a single tertiary care medical center between 2003 and 2012. Data were...