Factors that influence successful decannulation after surgery for laryngo-tracheal stenosis in children.

The process to decannulation requires attention to details from the time of initial tracheostomy, through the pre- and peri-operative period up until the decannulation event. Important points to consider during this process are: a formal tracheostomy rather than a tracheotomy; other potential sites of obstruction than the laryngeal stenosis; gastroesophageal reflux; prevention and control of infection and the use of prophylactic antibiotics; method and type of suture material; stenting; movement and method of feeding. Decannulation itself requires attention to removal of granulation tissue and control of tracheomalacia and tracheostenosis.