Transoral laser surgery for glottic stenosis caused by webs

Glottic web results form varied etiology and depending on its location and degree can lead to varying degree of airway stenosis. Management of glottic webs is still difficult in spite of various proposed surgical methods. We practice transoral endoscopic CO2 laser excision of extensive glottic web causing airway obstruction.At our institute which is a specialized tertiary care center for management of airway related disorders, we have re-classified glottic webs to match the surgical procedures. The classification is based on antero-posterior extent and involvement of the commissure. The surgical methods employed to correct this glottic obstruction have also been described.We also propose modified surgical procedures for extensive, thick webs. Diagnosis of involvement of commissures as well as importance of protecting them from inadvertent surgical trauma has been emphasized to get ideal results for phonation and restoration of normal airway.