Single-stage laryngotracheal reconstruction for the treatment of subglottic stenosis in children

INTRODUCTION  In recent decades, airway reconstruction has become the treatment of choice for subglottic stenosis (SGS) in children, which is performed in either single or multiple stages. However, there is evidence in the literature that single-stage surgery is more effective. OBJECTIVE  To evaluate the success rate of single-stage laryngotracheoplasty (LTP) and cricotracheal resection (CTR) in patients that were treated in our hospital. MATERIALS AND METHOD  We performed a retrospective study of children undergoing laryngotracheal reconstruction. RESULTS  Twenty-four children were included. The etiology of SGS was postintubation in 91.6% and congenital in 8.3%. One patient (4.2%) had grade 4 SGS, 17 (70.8%) presented with grade 3 SGS, 4 (16.6%) had grade 2 SGS, 1 (4.2%) had grade 3 SGS associated with glottic stenosis, and 1 (4.2%) had grade 3 SGS with tracheal stenosis. We performed 26 LTPs and 3 CTRs. Decannulation rates were 66% in the CTR procedures and 85.7% in the LTP procedures; the overall decannulation rate was 83.3%. All children presented with fever in the postoperative period, but were afebrile after the tube was removed. CONCLUSION  Our series showed a decannulation rate of 83.3%.