The Safety of Pediatric Bedside Tracheostomy

Objective: Traditionally, pediatric tracheostomy has been viewed as a technically demanding procedure with a high complication rate, requiring the routine use of a formal operating room. Pediatric bedside tracheostomy in an intensive care unit (ICU) setting has not been widely reported, in contrast to the widespread adult bedside ICU tracheostomy. Transport of these critically ill, multiple life support systems dependent patients can be technically difficult, labor intensive, and potentially risky for these patients. Our study aimed to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of bedside tracheostomy in the pediatric ICU. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis of all pediatric patients undergoing tracheostomy at a tertiary care center, between 1st of January 2013 and 31st of December 2019. Results: During the study period, 117 pediatric patients underwent tracheostomy, 57 (48.7%) were performed bedside while 60 (51.3%) were performed in the operating room. Patients’ ages ranged from 2 weeks to 17 years of age, with a median age of 16 months. No case of bedside tracheostomy necessitated a shift to the operating room. There was no difference in 30-day morbidity and mortality between the 2 groups. Conclusions: Our results suggest that pediatric open bedside tracheostomy in an ICU setting is a safe procedure, with similar complications and outcomes compared to tracheostomy performed in the operating room.