Predictive factors for complications in children with laryngeal damage at extubation

Objectives: To determine which factors contribute to early complications wh en 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 e xtent of the subsequent treatment required: medical, reintubation, and surg ical. Methods: Age, sex, clinical history, and macroscopic features of the lesions were collected and data were compared in each group. Results: Under lying noninfectious respiratory diseases and young age were found to be ris k factors for higher incidence of complications, but not prolonged or multi ple intubations. Edema, especially in the glottic area, was a risk factor f or surgical treatment. Multiple lesions were risk factors for reintubation, Conclusions: History of intubation, its cause, and lesions discovered at e xtubation can provide the basis for definition of an "at risk" profile for intubated children.