Safety evaluation of a stepwise tracheostomy decannulation program in pediatric patients.

Purpose: In the event of failed tracheostomy decannulation, patients might have a tragic course of events. We retrospectively evaluated our stepwise tracheostomy decannulation program and examined its safety.

Methods: A 12-year retrospective study of pediatric patients was conducted. The decannulation program was performed on patients who had airway patency by laryngobronchoscopy and whose cannula could be capped during the day. A stepwise decannulation program was performed: continuous 48-h capping trial during hospitalization (Phase 1), removal of the tracheostomy tube for 48 h during hospitalization (Phase 2), and outpatient observation (Phase 3). If a persistent tracheocutaneous fistula existed, the fistula was closed by surgery (Phase 4).

Results: The 77 patients in the study underwent 86 trials. The age at the first time of the decannulation program was 6.5 ± 3.6 years. Sixteen trials failed (18.6%): 8 trials in Phase 1, 2 trials in Phase 2, 4 trials in Phase 3, and 2 trials in Phase 4. Most decannulation failures were due to desaturation in Phase 1/2 and dyspnea in Phase 3/4. The time to reintubation after decannulation was 15-383 days in Phase 3/4.

Conclusions: Patients could fail at every phase of the program, suggesting that a stepwise decannulation program contributes to safety.