Pattisapu et al reported the Seattle Suprastomal Safety Score (5S) for evaluating the airway above a tracheal stoma. This offers a standardized way of reporting the status of the upper airway. The authors are from the University of Washington Seattle and Seattle Children's Hospital.
Patient selection: pediatric patient who is tracheostomy dependent.
Exam: laryngoscopy
Parameters:
(1) obstruction of the airway due to collapse
(2) obstruction to the airway due to granulation tissue
Collapse Obstruction
Granulation Tissue Obstruction
Points
0%
0%
0
1 to 50%
1 to 50%
1
51 to 99%
51 to 99%
2
100%
100%
3
Interpretation:
• Collapse and granulation tissue are graded separately.
• Reported as CxGy, with x and y the points for airway obstruction by each process.
• The more severe the obstruction the greater the problems associated with decannulation.
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