Tracheostomy in pediatric patients.

From 1978 to 1987, tracheostomy was performed on 33 children, 13 boys and 20 girls, with a male to female ratio of 0.65:1. The mean age at the time of tracheostomy was 726 days, 76% of the children being under the age of two years. The incidence of pediatric tracheostomy per hospital admissions was 0.05%. Subglottic stenosis (13 children) and respiratory distress syndrome with prolonged endotracheal ventilation (11 children) were the most common indications for tracheostomy. The mean duration of prolonged endotracheal intubation before tracheostomy was 64 days, and that of tracheostomy treatment 117 days. During the tracheostomy period, five children died, but only one death was related to tracheostomy. The total rate of complications was 30%. We emphasize the importance of strict indications for pediatric tracheostomy.