ABSTRACT
Neonatology and technology have made great strides over the
last few decades. Pulmonary disease remains the primary
indication for tracheostomy in preterm infants. However, in
general, because of the routine use of surfactant and steroids,
it is now less common to see infants dependent on a
ventilator for lung disease alone, and it is neither unusual
nor unsafe to leave an infant on a ventilator with an
endotracheal tube in place for months on end. Term infants
who need a tracheostomy do so because of an inadequate
airway. These infants otherwise are ready to go home or to a
facility for technologically dependent children, but still
require ventilatory assistance.
