Narrative review examines expanded role of tracheostomy in pediatric care since 1999Review explores expanded role of tracheostomy in children with complex medical needs

This narrative review examines the role of tracheostomy in pediatric care, specifically tracking its evolution since 1999. The review focuses on children as the population of interest, though sample size, setting, and follow-up duration are not reported. No comparator group or specific intervention protocols are detailed, and primary and secondary outcomes are not specified.

The main observation presented is that the role of tracheostomy in children has expanded beyond managing acute airway obstruction. The review suggests it now encompasses providing long-term respiratory support, managing chronic aspiration, and potentially improving quality of life for children with complex medical conditions. No quantitative data, specific study results, or comparative analyses are reported to support these observations.

Safety and tolerability information, including adverse events and discontinuations, is not reported. A key limitation is that this is explicitly a narrative review, not a systematic review, which limits the rigor and comprehensiveness of the evidence synthesis. Funding sources and conflicts of interest are also not reported.

For practice, the authors suggest the review provides insight for pediatric surgeons, pulmonologists, critical care physicians, and other clinicians involved in caring for children with tracheostomies. However, the absence of specific data and the narrative format mean these insights should be viewed as general observations rather than evidence-based recommendations. Clinicians must rely on more systematic evidence and clinical guidelines for decision-making.