The role of larygotracheal reconstruction in the management of recurrent croup in patients with subglottic stenosis.

OBJECTIVES To determine the role of laryngotracheal reconstruction for recurrent croup and evaluate surgical outcomes in this cohort of patients. METHODS Retrospective chart review at a tertiary care pediatric hospital. RESULTS Six patients who underwent laryngotracheal reconstruction (LTR) for recurrent croup with underlying subglottic stenosis were identified through a search of our IRB-approved airway database. At the time of diagnostic bronchoscopy, all 6 patients had grade 2 subglottic stenosis. All patients were treated for reflux and underwent esophageal biopsies at the time of diagnostic bronchoscopy; 1 patient had eosinophilic esophagitis which was treated. All patients had a history of at least 3 episodes of croup in a 1 year period requiring multiple hospital admissions. Average age at the time of LTR was 39 months (range 13-69); 5 patients underwent anterior graft only and 1 patient underwent anterior and posterior grafts. Patients were intubated for an average of 5 (range 3-8) days and hospitalized for an average of 12 (range 7-20) days post-operatively. One patient experienced narcotic withdrawal post-operatively, but there were no other post-operative complications. All patients underwent follow-up airway endoscopy within 4 weeks and none required any further dilation procedures. Average post-operative follow-up was 24 months (range 10-48) and none of the patients experienced any further episodes of croup. CONCLUSIONS Single stage LTR is a safe and effective treatment for recurrent croup in the setting of underlying subglottic stenosis, and should be considered in patients who are refractory to medical management.