Predictive Factors for Complications in Children With Laryngeal Damage at Extubation

OBJECTIVES: To determine which factors contribute to early complications when intubated children show macroscopic lesions at extubation. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review of 96 consecutive medical records of children aged 1 day to 15 years. Patients were divided into three groups depending on the extent of the subsequent treatment required: medical, reintubation, and surgical. METHODS: Age, sex, clinical history, and macroscopic features of the lesions were collected and data were compared in each group. RESULTS: Underlying noninfectious respiratory diseases and young age were found to be risk factors for higher incidence of complications, but not prolonged or multiple intubations. Edema, especially in the glottic area, was a risk factor for surgical treatment. Multiple lesions were risk factors for reintubation. CONCLUSIONS: History of intubation, its cause, and lesions discovered at extubation can provide the basis for definition of an "at risk" profile for intubated children.