Monitoring occlusion and accidental extubation of tracheostomy tubes in children.

Twelve infants and children with tracheostomies have been monitored for occlusion or accidental extubation in hospital and at home using a thermistor-electronic monitor. The patients ranged from 1 month to 6 years of age and have been monitored for 1 to 16 months. The device sounds an alarm when it fails to sense the warming of air on expiration. It is electrically safe, simple to operate and has been well accepted by parents. The thermistor-monitor has permitted the psychologic and economic advantages of earlier hospital discharge especially for the smaller infants. In two infants, and on three occasions in one, use of the device was life-saving. The device is applicable for use in patients of any age, with endotracheal or tracheostomy tubes.