Q: I have a 37 months old premature baby. She got acute respiratory problem at birth and for the same is being operated for tracheostomy. She is underweight and on the T-tube. The doctors are planning for surgery. Is it advisable to operate at this stage or should she gain more weight first?

A:This may be an appropriate time for reversal of tracheostomy. The doctors will first ensure that the air passages are fine and that your child does in fact tolerate decannulation.