Objective
The purpose of this study is to determine whether tracheostomy stomal maturation affects the risk of tracheocutaneous fistula (TCF) in children.
Methods
A retrospective chart review was conducted for all children who both underwent a tracheostomy and were decannulated between 2012 and 2021 at a tertiary children's hospital. Charts were analyzed for demographics, surgical technique, and development of a TCF. TCF was defined as a persistent fistula following 3 months after decannulation.
Results
179 children met inclusion criteria. The median (interquartile range) age at tracheostomy was 1.5 (82.4) months, average (standard deviation [SD]) duration of tracheotomy was 20.0 (20.6) months, and length of follow‐up after decannulation (range; SD) was 39.3 (4.4–110.0; 26.7) months. 107 patients (60.0%) underwent stomal maturation and 98 patients developed a TCF (54.7%).
Younger age at tracheostomy placement was significantly associated with increased risk of TCF, mean (SD) age 28.4 (51.4) version 80.1 (77.5) months (p < 0.001). Increased duration of tracheostomy was significantly associated with increased risk of TCF, 27.5 (18.4) version 11.0 (18.2) months (p < 0.001).
Stomal maturation was not significantly associated with the risk of TCF, including on multivariable analysis adjusting for age at tracheostomy and duration of tracheostomy (p = 0.089).
Conclusion
Tracheostomy stomal maturation did not affect the risk of TCF in children, even after adjusting for age and duration of tracheostomy.
Level of Evidence
4 Laryngoscope, 134:2941–2944, 2024