Larynx and airway: stay sutures in paediatric tracheostomy: practice question

A ENT question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

Try it

ENT · Larynx and airway: stay sutures in paediatric tracheostomy

Sample item

Surgeons often place stay sutures on either side of the tracheal incision in a child. What is their main purpose?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Retraction to re-find the opening if the tube is dislodged

Before a tract forms, a displaced tube in a child can be lost in the tissues. Stay sutures are taped to the chest and allow the tracheal opening to be pulled forward and the tube reinserted safely, and they are removed after the first tube change.

Option by option

  • A. Preventing subcutaneous emphysema

    Subcutaneous emphysema is avoided by not closing the skin tightly.

  • B. Fixing the cuff in place

    Uncuffed tubes are usual in small children and the sutures do not secure any cuff.

  • C. Retraction to re-find the opening if the tube is dislodged (correct)

    Correct. They open the tracheotomy to reinsert a displaced tube.

  • D. Reducing risk of tracheal stenosis

    Stenosis relates to the level of incision and tube pressure, not to stay sutures.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More ENT questions

Questions about this ENT question

What is the answer to this ENT question?

The best answer is C, Retraction to re-find the opening if the tube is dislodged. Before a tract forms, a displaced tube in a child can be lost in the tissues.

Why is "Preventing subcutaneous emphysema" not the answer?

Subcutaneous emphysema is avoided by not closing the skin tightly.

Why is "Fixing the cuff in place" not the answer?

Uncuffed tubes are usual in small children and the sutures do not secure any cuff.

Why is "Reducing risk of tracheal stenosis" not the answer?

Stenosis relates to the level of incision and tube pressure, not to stay sutures.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Larynx and airway: stay sutures in paediatric tracheostomy in ENT. Stay sutures are taped to the chest and allow the tracheal opening to be pulled forward and the tube reinserted safely, and they are removed after the first tube change.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Larynx and airway: stay sutures in paediatric tracheostomy?

Learn tuning fork results and audiogram patterns by sketching them. Then use the flashcards and the other ENT questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.