Simple technique for tracheocutaneous XXXX closure in the pediatric population.

@entity1 @entity825 @entity27 @entity8222 @entity292
To review our experience with cauterization of persistent @entity292 in @entity1 , we performed a retrospective review of @entity1 who underwent cauterization of @entity292 by the senior author (O.E.B.) from 1986 to 2001 in an academic, tertiary care @entity1 's hospital. We studied 13 pediatric @entity1 ranging in age from 2.5 to 17.5 years of age at the time of surgery. Twelve @entity1 underwent cauterization under endoscopic visualization. One @entity1 underwent superficial cauterization of the tract without endoscopy. All @entity1 had at least a 1-year history of an indwelling tracheotomy. All @entity1 were decannulated at least 1 year before @entity292 cauterization. Of the 12 @entity1 who underwent intraoperative airway endoscopy, the internal orifice of the @entity292 tract was specifically visualized and seen to be patent in 10. One @entity1 was noted to have internal mucosalization of the tract, and no discrete opening to the @entity825 was noted in the other @entity1 . Eleven @entity1 had complete closure of the @entity292 site at follow-up (range, 2 weeks to 2 years). One @entity1 developed a leak during a coughing spell 2 days after the operation, and the @entity292 was noted to be closing with a small leak at follow-up. Another @entity1 (with @entity8222 ) ultimately required a repeat tracheotomy for @entity27 . This @entity1 was the only one admitted after the operation, for a pulmonary infiltrate. No other @entity1 required airway support in the immediate postoperative period. Cauterization of @entity292 in @entity1 is a relatively simple, effective, and safe technique.
