Evidence · Systematic review or meta-analysis
Complications of tracheostomy in children: a systematic review.
- Airway
- Line and device care
- Medical
- Nursing
- Physiotherapy
- Respiratory
- Tracheostomy
Summary
A systematic review of 49 studies describing complications of tracheostomy in children up to 18 years, spanning intraoperative, early and late postoperative periods. Complication rates averaged around 40%, associated with age, birth weight, prematurity, comorbidities and emergency procedures, with skin lesions and granulomas most frequent. Procedure-related mortality was low but tube obstruction and accidental decannulation were the leading contributors, underlining the importance of airway emergency preparedness and device care in PICU.
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- Open (Creative Commons)
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