Tracheostomy, the Not So Definitive Airway?: Tracheostomy Morbidity in Pediatric Craniofacial Patients.

Background: Tracheostomy is the definitive treatment for airway management in severe cases of craniofacial-associated upper airway obstruction, like the Pierre-Robin sequence, but is associated with significant morbidity. The purpose of this study was to examine tracheostomy-associated morbidities and mortalities in craniofacial patients to identify opportunities to improve clinical care and patient prognosis.

Methods: The study was a retrospective review of pediatric craniofacial patients who were tracheostomized between 2016 and 2022.