Paediatric Tracheostomy - A Retrospective Study Experience

Objectives Tracheostomy is a life-saving surgical procedure performed in critically ill patients with airway compromise. The number of tracheostomy patients in the paediatric age group has declined in recent years due to advancements in intensive care and alternative airway interventions. This retrospective study aims to assess the age and gender of patients, indications for tracheostomy, duration of tracheostomy, complications, and the outcome of the procedure. Material and Methods This is a retrospective study based on medical case records. The data were retrieved from the medical records of our tertiary care referral hospital. We collected the data of patients aged under 18 years who underwent tracheostomy in this hospital between January 2012 and December 2022. Details such as a demographic profile, medical diagnosis, indications, how long the patient was on the tracheostomy tube, details of decannulation, and outcomes were collected. The results were represented as proportions and percentages. Results In our study, there were 26 paediatric tracheostomies; 15 were males, and 11 were females. The youngest patient is a three-month-old child who is a case of Pierre Robin syndrome. Four tracheostomies were done as an emergency procedure. The other 22 patients had undergone elective tracheostomies for causes like head injury, CNS tumors, with post-meningitic hydrocephalus, congenital disorders, and status epilepticus, most of whom had undergone prolonged intubation. Conclusion Tracheostomy is a surgical procedure that can be performed as both emergency and elective procedures in tertiary care centers. Most of the paediatric tracheostomies are recently performed for prolonged intubation. Complications can be minimized if the procedure is performed in a controlled environment.