Introduction Tracheostomy is one of the most frequent surgical procedures in chronically ill pediatric patients and mechanical ventilatory assistance. The most widely used technique is open; however, the percutaneous technique guided by endoscopy is becoming increasingly common. Due to the current controversy, this study presents our experience in both techniques. Methodology Retrospective and descriptive analysis was carried out of 100 patients selected between 2010 and 2017. They were divided into two groups: open tracheostomy (TA) and percutaneous tracheostomy (PT), with 50 patients each according to the technique used. The age, diagnosis, indication of tracheostomy, days of intubation, endoscopic findings, cannula size, surgical time, intraoperative complications, and definitive decannulation were analyzed. A bibliographic review was also carried out. Results and Discussion The main indication for tracheostomy in both groups was prolonged orotracheal intubation (TA group 78% and TP group 82%). Children who underwent percutaneous tracheostomy were older in age (median age of 9 years for TA group and 2.5 years for PT group). There were no significant differences regarding the days of previous intubation: 19 days for the TA group and 13 days for the TP group. Weaning was achieved before mechanical ventilation for the TP group (7 days in the TP group and 19 days in the TA group). The surgical time was almost 50% less for the TP group (TA group 80 minutes and TP group 45 minutes). There were no intraoperative complications in any group. Distant complications were more frequent in the TA group (34%). Definitive decannulation was achieved in 17 patients in the TA group (34%) and in 19 patients in the TP group (38%). The long-term follow-up was performed for 8 months by the TA group (r: 1–36 m) and 9 months by the TP group (r: 1–48 m). Conclusions Percutaneous tracheostomy is feasible in children. Simultaneous endoscopic vision is recommended for the control of complications during the procedure. At the same time it allows us to diagnose preexisting injuries. The size of the tracheostomy kit should be adjusted to the age of the patient and the size of the tracheostomy cannula to perform a safe tracheostomy.

Presentación de casos clínicos RESUMEN El schwannoma es un tumor benigno originado de las células de Schwann y puede producirse a lo largo de cualquier nervio en el que estas células formen parte de su vaina. Los schwannomas del nervio facial extratemporales son infrecuentes y se presentan como masas indoloras en la región parotídea, de lento crecimiento y con compromiso del nervio facial. Se los debe tener en cuenta como diagnóstico diferencial en masas parotídeas en los niños, aunque sean raros. La utilización de la punción aspirativa con aguja fina y la resonancia magnética nuclear evidencia la mejor aproximación diagnóstica. El tratamiento quirúrgico de elección en la localización intraparotídea es la parotidectomía superficial. Otra opción es la tumorectomía completa con electroestimulación intraoperatoria y preservación del nervio facial. Se presenta un caso de schwannoma intraparotídeo en una paciente pediátrica operada con esta última técnica.

Objective Tracheostomy is one of the most frequently performed surgical procedures in chronically ill pediatric patients and mechanical ventilatory assistance. This study presents our experience in percutaneous tracheostomy (PT) guided by endoscopy in children. Methodology A retrospective descriptive analysis was carried out in which the PT guided by endoscopy from December 2010 to October 2017 at Pediatric Surgery Service of the Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires were considered. The variables analyzed were age, gender, basic pathology, tracheostomy indication, size of the cannula placed, surgical complications, and follow-up. At the same time, an updated bibliographical search on the subject was carried out. All the parents of the patients gave written consent. Results and Discussion A total of 50 PT guided by endoscopy were performed. The average age was 9.4 years (05–19 years). The male/female ratio was 1 (25 men, 25 women). The tracheostomy indications were prolonged orotracheal intubation (n: 41), lack of airway protection (n: 4), laryngomalacia (n: 2), difficult airway (n: 2), and laryngotracheal stenosis (n: 1). The endoscopic findings include glottic lesion, subglottic stenosis, vocal cord injury, and tracheal lesions by decubitus. There were no intraoperative complications. The average surgical time was 44 minutes (r: 10–60 min). The rate of postoperative complications was 6% (n: 3), among which were accidental decannulation, desaturation, and leakage. Distant complications such as tracheitis or granulomas occurred in 8% of patients (n: 4). The definitive decannulation was achieved in 19 patients in an average time of 15 days. Conclusions PT is feasible in children with a margin of safety comparable to tracheostomy by conventional technique. Simultaneous endoscopic vision is recommended for the control of complications during the procedure, in part because it offers firmness to the anterior wall of the trachea. At the same time it allows us to diagnose preexisting laryngotracheal lesions or anomalies. The size of the tracheostomy kit should be adjusted to the age of the patient to perform a safe tracheostomy. Due to the small diameter of the trachea and its weakness, it is not recommended by us to perform percutaneous tracheostomy in patients under 2 years of age.