Polysomnography in the evaluation of readiness for decannulation in children.

Overview

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether polysomnography is useful in the evaluation of readiness for decannulation in children with long-term tracheotomy. DESIGN: Descriptive, retrospective case series. SETTING: Tertiary care pediatric center, pediatric sleep disorders laboratory, and pediatric otolaryngology referral center. PATIENTS: Children (younger than 18 years) with tracheotomy undergoing polysomnography to assess their dependence on tracheotomy. INTERVENTION: Polysomnography in all patients; endoscopy and decannulation in those judged clinically ready. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Success of decannulation. RESULTS: Thirteen of 16 patients with favorable polysomnographic data were successfully decannulated. CONCLUSION: Polysomnography is a useful supplement to airway endoscopy in the evaluation of readiness for decannulation in children with long-term tracheotomy and dynamic airway issues.