Tracheotomy in neonates.

The particularities and complications of tracheotomy in neonates, as well as postoperative care and follow-up are presented. During the five year period from 1991-1996, 12 urgent tracheotomies were performed on 12 neonates in the Hippokration Hospital of Thessaloniki, 7 boys and 5 girls, ranging from 1 to 25 days. All these infants presented severe respiratory failure due to upper airway obstruction. Endotracheal intubation was attempted on all of them with no success, and urgent tracheotomy was recommended by the neonatologists. Three out of the twelve neonates died (the first during the procedure, the second just after the procedure and the third one week later) while the remaining nine were relieved from respiratory distress. Tracheotomy is a procedure of major importance for the survival and further development of young patients.