Pediatric tracheostomy tube decannulation with or without polysomnography: A PRO-CON debate

Transtracheal Pressure for Evaluation of Decannulation Readiness

BACKGROUND

Pediatric tracheostomy decannulation protocols vary among institutions and may include toleration of Passy Muir Valve (PMV), microlaryngoscopy and bronchoscopy (MLB) findings, and polysomnography evaluation. Transtracheal pressure (TTP) is an objective measurement utilized to evaluate PMV toleration. We aimed to investigate the role of TTP in decannulation candidates and compare TTP measurements with polysomnography and MLB findings.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study of children who underwent TTP measurement during PMV trial between December 2012 and November 2022.

RESULTS

A total of 79 patients underwent TTP measurement and MLB evaluation; of these, 16 (20.3%) patients had a capped polysomnography. Twenty-eight (35.4%) patients had TTPs ≤10 cm H2O, and 51 (64.6%) patients had TTPs >10 cm H2O. The most common indication for tracheostomy was upper airway obstruction (n = 41, 51.9%), followed by a need for mechanical ventilation (n = 24, 30.4%). Twenty-five (31.6%) patients were decannulated. Patients with TTPs ≤10 cm H2O had a mean Apnea-Hypopnea Index of 0.17 ± 0.26/h compared with 6.93 ± 7.67/h in those with TTPs >10 cm H2O, p = 0.0365. Patients with TTPs >10 cm H2O were found to have a significantly higher occurrence of airway obstruction (96.1% vs. 46.4%, p < 0.0001) and multilevel airway obstruction (70.6% vs. 21.4%, p < 0.0001) on MLB. Neither TTP measured at time of PMV assessment nor capped polysomnography was associated with successful decannulation.

CONCLUSIONS

TTP measurements at time of PMV evaluation are associated with polysomnography and MLB findings. One-time PMV measurements were not indicative of decannulation success.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4 Laryngoscope, 134:3377-3383, 2024.

Revisiting the Great Ormond Street Hospital protocol for ward decannulation of children with tracheostomy

INTRODUCTION

Tracheostomy decannulation is an important and final step in managing patients once the underlying issue requiring a tracheostomy resolves. However, no consensus exists on the optimal method to decannulate a paediatric patient. We revisit the Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) tracheostomy decannulation protocol, a 5-day process involving downsizing the tracheostomy tube, capping, and observation, to evaluate its effectiveness and assess if changes to the protocol are required.

METHOD

This is a retrospective study, reviewing patient records between April 2018 and April 2023 from a single quaternary care centre. Data extracted include comorbidities, age at the time of decannulation, duration of tracheostomy, reason for tracheostomy insertion, whether a decannulation attempt was successful or not, and the timings of decannulation failure.

RESULTS

66 patients that met the selection criteria underwent a decannulation trial between April 2018 and April 2023. 32 patients were male, and 34 patients were female. Age at attempted decannulations ranged from 1 year to 18 years, with an average age of 6.1 years. There were a total of 93 attempts at decannulation, with 51 (54.8%) successful attempts, 35 (56.5%) first decannulation attempt successes, and 42 (45.2%) unsuccessful attempts. 17 patients had 2 attempts at decannulation, and 4 patients had 3 or more attempts at decannulation. Of the unsuccessful attempts, patients mostly failed on capping of the tracheostomy tube with 33 failures (35.5%).

CONCLUSION

The GOSH protocol achieved similar success rates to comparable protocols. The protocol's multi-step approach provides thorough evaluation and support for patients during the decannulation process, and its success on a complex patient cohort supports its continued use.

Pediatric tracheostomy decannulation: what's the evidence?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Pediatric decannulation failure can be associated with large morbidity and mortality, yet there are no published evidence-based guidelines for pediatric tracheostomy decannulation. Tracheostomy is frequently performed in medically complex children in whom it can be difficult to predict when and how to safely decannulate.

RECENT FINDINGS

Published studies regarding pediatric decannulation are limited to reviews and case series from single institutions, with varying populations, indications for tracheostomy, and institutional resources. This article will provide a review of published decannulation protocols over the past 10 years. Endoscopic airway evaluation is required to assess the patency of the airway and address any airway obstruction prior to decannulation. There is considerable variability in tracheostomy tube modification between published protocols, though the majority support a capping trial and downsizing of the tracheostomy tube to facilitate capping. Most protocols include overnight capping in a monitored setting prior to decannulation with observation ranging from 24 to 48 h after decannulation. There is debate regarding which patients should have capped polysomnography (PSG) prior to decannulation, as this exam is resource-intensive and may not be widely available. Persistent tracheocutaneous fistulae are common following decannulation. Excision of the fistula tract with healing by secondary intention has a lower reported operative time, overall complication rate, and postoperative length of stay.

SUMMARY

Pediatric decannulation should occur in a stepwise process. The ideal decannulation protocol should be safe and expedient, without utilizing excessive healthcare resources. There may be variability in protocols based on patient population or institutional resources, but an explicitly described protocol within each institution is critical to consistent care and quality improvement over time. Further research is needed to identify selection criteria for who would most benefit from PSG prior to decannulation to guide allocation of this limited resource.

Chronic tracheostomy care of ventilator-dependent and -independent children: Clinical practice patterns of pediatric respirologists in a publicly funded (Canadian) healthcare system

OBJECTIVES

To describe the current clinical practice patterns of Canadian pediatric respirologists at pediatric tertiary care institutions regarding chronic tracheostomy tube care and management of home invasive ventilation.

METHODS

A pediatric respirologist/pediatrician with expertise in tracheostomy tube care and home ventilation was identified at each Canadian pediatric tertiary care center to complete a 59-item survey of multiple choice and short answer questions. Domains assessed included tracheostomy tube care, caregiver competency and home monitoring, speaking valves, medical management of tracheostomy complications, decannulation, and long-term follow-up.

RESULTS

The response rate was 100% (17/17) with all Canadian tertiary care pediatric centers represented and heterogeneity of practice was observed in all domains assessed. For example, though most centers employ Bivona™ (17/17) and Shiley™ (15/17) tracheostomy tubes, variability was observed around tube change, re-use, and cleaning practices. Most centers require two trained caregivers (14/17) and recommend 24/7 eyes on care and oxygen saturation monitoring. Discharge with an emergency tracheostomy kit was universal (17/17). Considerable heterogeneity was observed in the timing and use of speaking valves and speech-language assessment. Inhaled anti-pseudomonal antibiotics are employed by most centers (16/17) though the indication, agent, and protocol varied by center. Though decannulation practices varied considerably, the requirement of upper airway patency was universally required to proceed with decannulation (17/17) independent of ongoing ventilatory support requirements.

CONCLUSION

Considerable variability in pediatric tracheostomy tube care practice exists across Canada. These results will serve as a starting point to standardize and evaluate tracheostomy tube care nationally.