Intubation injuries of the trachea in children. Management and prevention.

The problem of intubation injuries of the trachea in children has been summarized. Preventive measures designed to protect the trachea from injury have been outlined. In spite of these measures, acute intubation injuries have occurred in 15 children. An aggressive approach combining bronchoscopic evaluation, intratracheal injection of steroids, tracheal stenting with an endotracheal tube and systemic steroids has been employed in the treatment of these injuries. We feel that this therapy has prevented the development of cicatrical stenosis in many of the cases and has allowed permanent decannulation of the trachea.