Outcomes of tracheostomy in the neonatal intensive care unit: is there an optimal time?

Objective: To compare short-term outcomes of infants who underwent early versus late tracheostomy during their initial hospitalization after birth and determine the association, if any, between tracheostomy timing and outcomes.

Methods: Retrospective chart review of infants who underwent a tracheostomy during their initial hospitalization at a single site.

Results: The median (range) gestational age of our cohort (n = 127) was 28 (23-42) weeks and birth weight was 988 (390-4030) g. Tracheostomy indications included airway lesions (47%), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (25%), both (22%) and others (6%). Median postmenstrual age (PMA) at tracheostomy was 45 (35-75) weeks. Death occurred in 27 (21%) infants and 65 (51%) infants were mechanically ventilated. G-tube was present at discharge in 42 (33%) infants. Infants who underwent early tracheostomy (<45 weeks PMA) (n = 66) had significantly lower gestational ages, weights and respiratory support than the late (≥45 weeks PMA) (n = 61) group. Death (29.5% versus 14%), home ventilation (41% versus 21%) and G tube (44% versus 14%) were significantly more frequent in the late tracheostomy group. On bivariate regression, outcomes were not independently associated with tracheostomy timing, after adjustment for gestational age and respiratory support.

Conclusions: Of infants who underwent tracheostomy during the initial hospitalization after birth, 21% died. On adjusted analysis, tracheostomy timing was not independently associated with outcomes.