Postoperative management of pediatric tracheostomy: results of a nationwide survey.

Abstract

A survey was undertaken to document the postoperative care of pediatric tracheostomies by otolaryngologists. This study represents the results of a national survey of 564 otolaryngologists covering a broad scope of postoperative pediatric tracheostomy issues considered for patients younger than 2 years and patients older than 5 years. Of the surveys sent, 134 responses were received, portraying a certain standard management scheme that seems to be used by most respondents. Very little difference was seen in respondents' management of patients younger than 2 years of age as compared with those who are older than 5 years. Furthermore, agreement between actual practice and published recommendations seems to vary with some management issues. The results of this study provide a means by which otolaryngologists may familiarize themselves with national trends in the postoperative management of pediatric tracheostomies.