Abstract
Tracheostomy is one of the oldest known surgical procedures. In 1718, Lorenz Heister coined the term tracheostomy to describe the creation of an opening in the neck and the insertion of a tube into the trachea. Pediatric tracheostomies are performed by otolaryngologists and pediatric surgeons working within healthcare teams that provide essential support for long-term stoma care, family education, equipment supply, and mechanical ventilation when indicated. Care pathways may differ between hospitals; however, consensus guidelines have been established to standardize management across disciplines. Modern tracheostomy techniques can be traced back to Armand Trousseau, who used the procedure to treat diphtheria-induced respiratory distress in the mid-1800s. Chevalier Jackson later standardized the tracheostomy process in the early 1900s. The procedure poses risks to all age groups; however, it has historically had higher morbidity and mortality in the pediatric population. This increased risk reflected the greater medical complexity of premature and syndromic infants compared to that of adult tracheostomy recipients. Historical use of tracheostomy as a last-resort airway intervention for patients with end-stage infectious airway obstruction, such as acute diphtheria, also contributed to elevated morbidity and mortality. Advances in the management of congenital anomalies, effective immunization protocols, and improved perioperative care algorithms have significantly increased survival rates among pediatric tracheostomy recipients. This activity focuses on general knowledge, operative considerations, wound care recommendations, and long-term strategies for pediatric tracheostomy based on current literature. This activity also addresses controversies surrounding decannulation protocols and highlights the role of the interprofessional team in caring for patients who undergo this procedure.
TY - CHAP
T1 - Pediatric Tracheostomy
BT - StatPearls
AU - De Jong,Russell,
AU - Sutton,Andrew E.,
Y1 - 2026/01//
PY - 2026/3/29/entrez
PY - 2026/3/29/medline
PY - 2026/3/29/pubmed
N2 - Tracheostomy is one of the oldest known surgical procedures. In 1718, Lorenz Heister coined the term tracheostomy to describe the creation of an opening in the neck and the insertion of a tube into the trachea. Pediatric tracheostomies are performed by otolaryngologists and pediatric surgeons working within healthcare teams that provide essential support for long-term stoma care, family education, equipment supply, and mechanical ventilation when indicated. Care pathways may differ between hospitals; however, consensus guidelines have been established to standardize management across disciplines. Modern tracheostomy techniques can be traced back to Armand Trousseau, who used the procedure to treat diphtheria-induced respiratory distress in the mid-1800s. Chevalier Jackson later standardized the tracheostomy process in the early 1900s. The procedure poses risks to all age groups; however, it has historically had higher morbidity and mortality in the pediatric population. This increased risk reflected the greater medical complexity of premature and syndromic infants compared to that of adult tracheostomy recipients. Historical use of tracheostomy as a last-resort airway intervention for patients with end-stage infectious airway obstruction, such as acute diphtheria, also contributed to elevated morbidity and mortality. Advances in the management of congenital anomalies, effective immunization protocols, and improved perioperative care algorithms have significantly increased survival rates among pediatric tracheostomy recipients. This activity focuses on general knowledge, operative considerations, wound care recommendations, and long-term strategies for pediatric tracheostomy based on current literature. This activity also addresses controversies surrounding decannulation protocols and highlights the role of the interprofessional team in caring for patients who undergo this procedure.
PB - StatPearls Publishing
CY - Treasure Island (FL)
UR - https://www.unboundmedicine.com/prime/citation/32809457/StatPearls:_Pediatric_Tracheostomy
DB - PRIME
DP - Unbound Medicine
ER -
