Airway reconstruction in children with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis

SummaryObjectiveTo determine if children with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis were at increased risk of complications due to their disease following major airway reconstruction.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed our airway surgery database and the medical records of all children diagnosed with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis who were evaluated at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center between January 1998 and August 2003. All patients with active airway papillomas or a history of recurrent respiratory papillomatosis who underwent open airway reconstruction at our institution were included in the study.ResultsSeven children with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis underwent major airway reconstruction. Six children had tracheotomies and five are now decannulated following their airway reconstruction. Five children had active papillomas at the time of surgery and none had significant worsening of their papillomas following their procedures. Two patients in remission underwent airway reconstruction without recurrence of their papillomas.ConclusionsMajor airway reconstruction can be safely performed in children with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis.