Galloway further expanded the uses of the procedure for treatment in paralysis and management of secretions. The neonatal and pediatric populations are of special concern, however, because the morbidity and mortality in these populations are substantially greater than in the adult population. As soon as it is apparent that a patient will require prolonged ventilatory support, tracheostomy should replace the endotracheal tube in order to avoid serious complications like infection. In general, hospitalized patients requiring intubation for more than 21 days usually get tracheostomies because of the many complications associated with prolonged endotracheal intubation. A comparison of the percutaneous methods with standard, open tracheostomy has revealed that percutaneous and standard tracheostomy have similar postoperative and late complication rates.
Perioperative risks vary depending on the method used.
Barring any severe underlying conditions, patients can expect a three to five day hospital stay and complete healing without complications. During the hospital stay, the patient or parent will be educated on proper care and maintenance of the tracheostomy. At times the tracheostomy tube will need to be changed. It is the changing of a tracheostomy tube following a fresh tracheostomy that is especially hazardous. If the wound site has not had sufficient time to heal, it may spontaneously collapse when the tube is removed.