The influence of peak airway pressure and oxygen requirement on infant tracheostomy

ObjectiveTo determine if and how the preoperative peak airway pressure and oxygen requirement of an infant (less than 6 months of age) who requires mechanical ventilation influences the physician's decision to perform a tracheostomy on that infant.Study designNationwide survey.SubjectsPediatric Otolaryngologists.MethodsA web-based survey was developed and sent to all members of the American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology.Results150 of the 348 surveys were returned (43%). The majority of respondents do not consider the patient's requirement for elevated peak airway pressure (PAP) or the patient's requirement for a high percentage of oxygen as a contraindication to performing a tracheostomy in that patient (54.7 and 72.1% respectively). The presence of preoperative high PAP influenced 68.2% of respondents to consider using a cuffed tracheostomy tube. In the immediate postoperative period, the most common complication resulting in significant morbidity or mortality was mucous plugging, and the majority of respondents attributed postoperative morbidity and mortality to preoperative pulmonary comorbidity.ConclusionsPreoperative PAP and the patient's oxygen requirement do not influence the surveyed otolaryngologists’ decision whether or not to perform a tracheostomy in the infant population. However, PAP do influence whether or not a cuffed tracheostomy tube is used.