2026-06-03T06:39:15Z https://www.peertechzpublications.org/oai-pmh

oai:www.peertechzpublications.org:10.17352/2455-1759.000159 2025-04-25 PTZ.AOR:VOL11

Tracheotomy in Children: Experience from a Sub-Saharan Pediatric Hospital Niang Fallou Fall F Loum B Blanc F Danfa CB Diegui A Faye PM Tall ADiallo BK<p>Introduction: Pediatric tracheostomy is a crucial surgical procedure that ensures airway patency in children suffering from a variety of respiratory pathologies. In recent decades, this procedure has gained importance, particularly due to significant advances in neonatal and pediatric intensive care.</p><p>Objective: The aim of the study was to describe the epidemiological, clinical features, complications, indications, and sequelae&nbsp; of tracheotomies in children at the ENT Department of National University Hospital of Fann and Albert Royer Children’s Hospital in Dakar, Senegal.</p><p>Patients and method: We performed a retrospective analytical multicenter and descriptive study at ENT Department of Fann teaching and neonatal services at Albert Royer Hospital in Dakar, Senegal, over a period of 4 years (from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2022), including the records of children of both sexes, aged 0 to 15 years and hospitalized in NHN’s ENT and. Data was entered on World and Excel 2016, data processing and analysis on the Sphinx software (e.g., chi-square, t-test, etc.) .&nbsp;</p><p>Results: We recorded Thirty-five (35) cases of tracheotomy. The average age was 6.50 years with 8-day and 15-year extremes. The sex ratio was 1.7. The highest number of tracheotomies was recorded in 2022 with 12 cases. Laryngeal dyspnea was the most frequent reason for consultation with 70.6%, followed by the laryngeal stridor&nbsp; with 23.5%. The clinical examination found signs of struggle in 33% of cases and Stage 3 and 4 dyspnea as per Chevalier Jackson and Pineau classification . In the indications of tracheotomy, acquired tracheal stenosis was more frequent with 22.8% of cases and malignant tumor pathologies with 20%. Emergency tracheotomy was performed in 25 patients (71.4%) . The scheduled tracheostomy was performed in 10 patients, or 28.6%. General anesthesia was used in 71% of cases and local anesthesia in 29%. The cutaneous incision was vertical in 29 patients, 82.9% and transverse in 6 patients, 17.1%. In the tracheotomy, 9 patients (25.7%) had complications. For 9 patients tracheotomized (25.7%), the evolution was towards death. De-cannulation was achieved in 10 patients (28.6%) . The average decannulation time is 34 days with extremes of 1 day and 210 days. Nine patients or 25.7% of the cases died with their cannulas still in place.</p><p>Conclusion: Regardless of the indication, tracheotomy is a life-saving procedure whose utility and effectiveness are well-established. Mastery of the technique, rigorous monitoring, and postoperative care are the key factors in minimizing the risk of complications.</p> Archives of Otolaryngology and Rhinology - Peertechz Publications 2025-04-25 Research Article https://doi.org/10.17352/2455-1759.000159 en Copyright © Niang Fallou et al.