PEDIATRIC TRACHEOSTOMY

Course overview

TRACHEOSTOMY IS INCREASINGLY PERFORMED IN CHILDREN WITH COMPLEX MEDICAL CONDITIONS TO MANAGE UPPER AIRWAY OBSTRUCTION, A NEED FOR PROLONGED VENTILATION, ABNORMAL VENTILATORY DRIVE, AND IRREVERSIBLE NEUROMUSCULAR DISORDERS. DESPITE BEING ONE OF THE OLDEST SURGICAL PROCEDURES, TRACHEOSTOMY IS NOT WITHOUT COMPLICATIONS. TRACHEOSTOMY AFTERCARE IS INTRICATE AND DAUNTING FOR CAREGIVERS WHO BENEFIT FROM EXTENSIVE EDUCATION AND AN INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM APPROACH TO IMPROVE OUTCOMES FOR PEDIATRIC PATIENTS WITH A TRACHEOSTOMY. THIS ACTIVITY REVIEWS THE RELEVANT ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF THE PEDIATRIC AIRWAY, THE INDICATIONS FOR AND CONTRAINDICATIONS TO PEDIATRIC TRACHEOSTOMY, THE BEST PRACTICES IN SURGICAL TECHNIQUE, AND HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN CARING FOR PEDIATRIC PATIENTS WHO UNDERGO THIS PROCEDURE.