Ten-year review of laryngotracheal reconstruction for paediatric airway stenosis

SummaryObjectivesTo review the outcomes of paediatric patients with laryngotracheal stenosis treated at our institution by laryngotracheal reconstruction (LTR).MethodsA single surgeon personal series retrospective review of case notes over a 10-year period from a single site tertiary referral paediatric otolaryngology department in patients with laryngotracheal stenosis treated with laryngotracheal reconstruction. Evaluation was based on the last laryngotracheal endoscopy, and a retrospective review of the patient's data.ResultsSeventy-three open laryngotracheal procedures were undertaken for paediatric laryngotracheal stenosis from the period 1995–2005. Fourteen were cricoid split operations and will be described elsewhere. The remaining 59 procedures were cartilage graft laryngtracheal reconstructions, performed on 53 patients (37 single stage and 16 staged) with 6 having required revisions.ConclusionsLTR provides good results for subglottic stenosis (SGS) as primary or salvage operations. The procedure has no deleterious effects on laryngeal growth. The causes of failed procedures are discussed.