Outcomes of Endoscopic Balloon Dilatation for acquired laryngotra- cheal stenosis in Pediatric Patients: UKMMC

Correspondence: Professor Goh Bee See, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Yaacob Latif, 56000 Cheras, Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia. Email: [email protected] Contact number: +6019 320 9305 INTRODUCTION Most pediatric laryngotracheal stenosis are acquired comprising 95% of all cases with only 5% are of congenital origin1. Intubation is the commonest etiology for acquired pediatric laryngotracheal stenosis (APLTS).2 The incidence of subglottic stenosis (SGS) in intubated neonates and children of 5 years and below is estimated at 1% to 2% and 11% respectively.3 The risk of developing SGS increases by 50% for every five days of intubation.3 Cotton-Myer grading describing the severity of stenosis was proposed by Myer et al in 1994.4 In 1991, balloon dilatation in children with laryngeal stenosis was reported by Hebra et al to be less traumatic as compared to bougienage dilation. 5 Since then it has progressively gain its popularity among the surgeons. We report our early experience with four patients who showed promising outcomes after undergoing balloon dilatation. ABSTRACT Laryngotracheal stenosis is abnormal narrowing of airway which may be congenital or acquire. Laryngotracheal stenosis in children mostly comprised of the acquired form whereby endotracheal intubation is the commonest etiology. The mainstay of treatment remains a challenge to many otorhinolaryngologists. Four pediatric patients aged less than 13 years underwent balloon dilatation for acquired laryngotracheal stenosis in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre from 2000 to 2016. Mean follow up duration was 18 months. All patients showed positive early outcomes whereby tracheostomy was successfully decannulated and open surgery was avoided. We conclude that endoscopic balloon dilatation is useful in acquired pediatric laryngotracheal stenosis.