[Pediatric tracheostomy care].

Abstract

Long term tracheostomy has become a rare caregiving problem in Paediatrics, but remains the only therapeutic strategy for a spectrum of complex anomalies of the paediatric airway. The present state-of-the-art article describes the practical routine of tracheostomy care as developed in the Paediatric Department of Graz. Commencing with indications for tracheostomy and a brief comment on relevant operations, it discusses routine and special tracheostomy tubes, valves, and other accessory devices. One chapter on specialised care is focussed on the paediatric airway, another more general one is concerned with the tracheostomized child. Then follows teaching tracheostomy care to parents; the article ends with a discussion of control investigations and decannulation.