Outcome of tracheostomy after pediatric cardiac surgery

Objective: To investigate the incidence, timing indications and outcome of tracheotomy in children who underwent cardiac surgeries. Methods: All pediatric cardiac patients (under 14 years of age)whounderwent cardiac surgeries and required tracheotomy from November 2000 to November 2010 were reviewed. The data were collected and reviewed retrospectively. Results: Sixteen children underwent tracheotomy after cardiac surgery. Fifteen of these cases had surgery for congenital heart disease, and one had surgery for an acquired rheumatic mitral valve disease. The mean ± SEMs of the durations of ventilation before and after tracheotomy were 60.4 ± 9.8 and 14.5 ± 4.79 days respectively (P value 0.0002). The means ± SEM of the lengths of ICU stay before and after tracheotomy were 63.31 ± 10.15 and 22 ± 5.4 days respectively (P value 0.0012). After the tracheotomy 12/16 patients (75%) were weaned from their ventilators and 10/16 were discharged from the PCICU. Six patients were discharged from the hospital and 3 were successfully decannulated. The overall survival rate was 9/16 (56%). Conclusion: Tracheostomy shortens the duration of mechanical ventilation and facilitates discharge from the ICU. The mortality of tracheotomy patients is still significant but is mainly related to the primary cardiac disease.