We were told that there was no rush to wean him off the vent with the upcoming
surgery - that was understandable. What we were not made aware of was that
having the trache would be a problem for the surgery - a risk for sternal
infection. We are being told that the trache would have to be removed for a
few days before the surgery and he will have to be intubated through the mouth
or nose for several days before, during and after the surgery. Finally after
healing from the heart surgery, he would be re-trached.
Is this the normal procedure? He has really thrived developementally with the
trache. He is eating everything orally and is very active during the day with
he is off the vent. We are concerned what having to be intubated for several
days before and after will do to him developementally. We had always assumed
that before/during/after that he would be ventilated through the tracheostomy.
Any ideas on this? Thanks, Dean