Polysomnography in the evaluation of readiness for decannulation in children

D. E. Tunkel, S. A. McColley, F. M. Baroody, C. L. Marcus, J. L. Carroll and G. M. Loughlin
Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md., USA.

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.