Abstract
ABSTRACT
Background
Due to advancements in medicine and technology, there is a growing population of children with chronic respiratory failure that requires long‐term mechanical ventilation (LTV). These patients commonly have a high degree of medical complexity and often require surgical intervention.
Aims
This study seeks to describe the perioperative characteristics, surgical interventions, and postoperative outcomes for pediatric patients with long‐term ventilation (LTV)‐dependence via tracheostomy undergoing elective non‐cardiac surgery.
Methods
A retrospective cohort analysis was performed using the Pediatric National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database from 2019 to 2023. Pediatric patients with LTV undergoing elective non‐cardiac surgeries were identified. Demographic data, medical comorbidities, surgical characteristics, and postoperative outcomes were analyzed.
Results
We identified 1291 pediatric patients with home tracheostomy and ventilation requirements undergoing elective non‐cardiac surgery. There were no reported intraoperative cardiac arrests or unplanned loss of secure airway amongst all patients for the years this data was available (2019–2023). There were major postoperative adverse events in five patients (0.4%) who experienced cardiac arrest requiring CPR and three patients (0.2%) who experienced 30‐day mortality. There was an overall rate of 12% (
n
= 153) for 30‐day readmission, of which 81% (
n
= 124) were unplanned.
Conclusions
Although children dependent on LTV have high medical complexity, serious postoperative adverse events are rare following elective surgery.