A tracheostomy is a surgical procedure that creates a small opening in the front of the neck into the windpipe (trachea) to help a child breathe. A soft, flexible tube (called a tracheostomy tube or “trach tube”) is placed in this opening to maintain a safe and stable airway. In children, tracheostomy is usually considered when long-term breathing support is needed or when there are complex airway problems that make normal breathing difficult or unsafe. Common reasons include chronic respiratory failure requiring prolonged ventilator support, severe airway obstruction, or congenital or acquired airway abnormalities that cannot be managed with other treatments.

Children may need a tracheostomy for a variety of conditions. Some have chronic lung disease or neuromuscular disorders that make it difficult to breathe effectively on their own and require long-term ventilator support. Others have complex airway disorders such as severe subglottic stenosis, vocal cord paralysis, or craniofacial abnormalities that significantly narrow or obstruct the airway. In these situations, a tracheostomy can provide a more secure and stable airway compared to prolonged use of a breathing tube through the mouth or nose.

The procedure is performed in the operating room under general anesthesia with a pediatric anesthesiologist carefully monitoring your child. Our surgeons makes a small incision in the lower neck and creates an opening into the trachea where the trach tube is placed. Once in place, the tube allows air to bypass upper airway obstruction or assist with long-term ventilation. After surgery, families receive detailed training from a specialized care team at Wolfson Children’s Hospital on how to care for the trach safely at home.

The benefits of a tracheostomy can be life-changing for children who need it. It can improve breathing, allow safer long-term ventilation, reduce the effort required to breathe, and in some cases make it easier for children to participate in therapy, feeding, and communication development. However, there are important risks to understand. These include bleeding, infection, accidental dislodgement or blockage of the trach tube. Over time, some children may also develop scar tissue or require additional procedures to manage the airway.

Recovery from tracheostomy involves an initial healing period in the hospital with close monitoring in the pediatric intensive care unit. Families receive extensive training before going home as trach care is a daily responsibility. At home, children can often gradually return to many normal activities with proper support, though they will require ongoing medical follow-up and supplies. For some children, a tracheostomy may be temporary until their airway improves or they no longer need ventilator support, while for others it may be a longer-term solution. Some children require a larger surgery to reconstruct the airway prior to removal of the tracheostomy. The overall goal is always to improve safety, breathing, and quality of life while supporting the child and family every step of the way. In addition to our surgeons, our team includes the areas most eperienced nurse practitioner for long-term care in children with trach tubes.

Our team at ENT for Kids has the largest experience in North Florida with tracheotomy and airway reconstruction surgery. If your child requires a tracheostomy or lives with a tracheostomy requiring continued care, please reach out to our team to arrange a consult.  

Content created with assistance from Open AI, ChatGPT