Tracheotomy in Pediatric Patients: In Operating Room or Intensive Care Unit?

• Published in: Güncel pediatri Vol. 12; no. 2
• Main Authors: Kaygusuz, Umut, Kayali Dinç, Ayse Seçil, Dinç, Tolga
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Turkish
• Published: Ankara Bursa Uludağ University 01-08-2014
• ISSN: 1304-9054; 1308-6308
• DOI: 10.4274/jcp.13007

Introduction: The morbidity and mortality rates of tracheotomy are higher in the pediatric population because the incision is small and the trachea is more prone to surgical trauma. Tracheotomy procedure is mostly performed in operating room in most institutions. The aim of the study is to compare the outcomes of tracheotomy procedures between intensive care unit (ICU) and operating room (OR) in terms of pitfalls, complications and family preferences. Materials and Methods: In between June 2012 and July 2013, at a single institution, 39 patients were prospectively analyzed for age, gender, primary pathology, tracheotomy indications, location of operation, the duration of family consent, perioperative complications and presence of decanulation. Results: Male/female ratio was 20/19. Mean age was 49.9±52.5 (4-204) months. Tracheotomy procedure was performed in OR in 19 patients (45%) and in ICU in 20 (54.5%) patients. There was no statistically significant difference between groups in terms of complications (OR-48.7%, ICU-51.3%). The time of informed consent was significantly shorter in ICU patients. Conclusions: There is no significant difference in terms of safety for tracheotomy procedure in ICU or OR. Parents give approval to a bedside invasive procedure faster. The words 'Surgery' and 'Operating room' can easily confuse the parents, extend the duration for endolaryngeal intubation, and increase the cost and labour loss.