Objective: Tracheotomy is a life-saving procedure used since ancient times. Indications of pediatric tracheotomy have changed a lot in the last 40 years. During the 1970s, the most common indication of tracheotomy was acute inflammatory airway obstruction. The number of tracheotomies induced by infection has decreased because of the development of vaccines against H. influenzae and C. diphtheriae and the increased possibility of intensive care use. The tracheotomy operation in children is more hazardous than in adults. The aim of this study was to the evaluate indications and complications of tracheotomy and our experience in the pediatric intensive care unit.

Material and Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients who underwent tracheotomy between 2009-2015 at the medical faculty of Kahramanmaras Sütcü Imam University was performed in this study. Patient records were reviewed for indications, additional diseases, early and late complications, and hospitalization time.results: 42 patients were enrolled in the study, including 15 women (36%) and 27 men (64%). Tracheotomy indications were prolonged intubation in 97 %. The early complication rate emerged as 23% and the late complication rate as 14%. Tracheotomy-related death did not occur in our series. The mean duration of hospitalization was 55 days.conclusion: Indications of tracheostomy has shifted to prolonged intubation from infectious causes in recent years. Tracheotomy is a safe and vital process although it is a risky practice in the pediatric population

Keywords: Child, Indication, Complication, Tracheotomy