A pediatric tracheostomy procedure that creates a surgical opening in the child’s neck. It does this by creating a small hole in the windpipe, called the trachea. Another name for the procedure is tracheotomy. After the hole is created, a small tube is placed into the opening. This keeps the hole open since it would otherwise close down due to scarring and healing. The procedure is performed to help move air to and out of the child’s lungs. Many children who are suffering from airway obstruction need this type of procedure in order to get oxygen to the tissues of their body. Others require it since they are going to have a long term illness and need to be on a ventilator for a period of time. The tracheostomy is temporary most of the time and meant to be taken out after it is no longer necessary. The term may be used for the actual hole created or the opening that results from the procedure.

Here are several different examples of the possible reasons why a child require a tracheotomy.

As mentioned before, sometimes the stoma is created if the child need to be on a breathing machine for a while. This is opposed to an endotracheal tube. It is much better to have a tracheostomy than an ET tube in place. Most children will get damages to the mouth and throat from and endotracheal tube after a period of time.
One of the most common reasons is if the child has a neck injury, or head and spinal cord damage that results in severe breathing difficulties.
Another reason is if the child has a large amount of secretions. Too much saliva or other problems with swallowing when a person is sick can result in the liquids getting into the lungs. This is a dangerous situation that sets a person up for pneumonias and other troubles.
The child might have an upper airway that is blocked by swelling or a tumor. The stoma created will allow air to bypass this obstruction. Vocal cord problems may also have the same effect as well as severe constriction of the trachea.

A pediatric tracheotomy is normally done in an operating room. Sometimes in certain situations it can be performed in an intensive care unit. Local and other anesthetic agents are given so that the child does not feel any pains while the pediatric tracheostomy tubes are placed. The surgeon will use a scalpel to make a cut in the skin above the neck and open up the tissues to place the tube below the voice box region of the throat. The pediatric tracheostomy tubes will beheld in place by some laces or another type of band device.

When the pediatric tracheotomy is no longer required, the doctor will be able to take the tube out and close the stoma. Most of the time the hole will close on its own in 4 to 6 months. If this does not happen a minor procedure can be done to repair the pediatric tracheostomy procedure.