Mustafa Orhan DUYAR, Mehmet Akif DÜNDAR, Talha DURNA, Abdullah SARIÇİÇEK
Türkiye Çocuk Hastalıkları Dergisi - 2026;20(5):342-347
Objective: Tracheostomy is frequently required in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs), particularly for children with complex neurological or respiratory conditions. This study aimed to evaluate the indications, outcomes, and the role of pediatric palliative care (PPC) services in the post-tracheostomy management of pediatric patients. Materials and Methods: This retrospective, single-center study included 42 pediatric patients (0-18 years) who underwent their first tracheostomy in the PICU between January 2020 and November 2024. Demographics, clinical indications, complication rates, palliative care utilization, and discharge outcomes were analyzed descriptively. Results: The median age was 2 (0-11.25) years, with 66.7% male patients. Prolonged intubation was the most common indication (66.7%), followed by subglottic stenosis and neuromuscular causes. Tracheostomy-related complications occurred in 40.4% of patients. Remarkably, 95.2% were transferred to the PPC unit, where they stayed for a median of 21 days. Discharge to home was achieved in 88.1% of patients, and overall mortality was 11.9%, with no deaths directly attributable to tracheostomy. Among discharged patients, 60.5% required home mechanical ventilation. Conclusion: This study highlights the critical role of PPC services in facilitating safe discharge and optimizing outcomes for children undergoing tracheostomy. The high home discharge rate and low mortality underscore the benefits of a structured, multidisciplinary care model. Integration of PPC services should be considered standard in the post-tracheostomy management of children with complex comorbidities.
