Total cricoidectomy and laryngotracheal reconstruction for subglottic stenosis with glottic involvement

We present a case of subglottic stenosis involving the glottis with inflammatory destruction of the cricoid cartilage after prolonged endotracheal intubation. Total cricoidectomy and laryngotracheal anastomosis were performed with T-tube placement that was retained for five months postoperatively. After decannulation of the T-tube, the airway was well restored, with good vocal cord opening. Good respiratory and phonatory results were obtained during normal daily activity, although a slightly hoarse voice was present, but no aspiration was observed. Total cricoidectomy and laryngotracheal reconstruction may be considered suitable for subglottic stenosis with glottic involvement, if accompanied by inflammatory destruction of the cricoid cartilage.     

Effect of stenting after laryngotracheal reconstruction in a subglottic stenosis model.

OBJECTIVES: This study addresses the impact of stenting on early wound healing after laryngotracheal reconstruction (LTR) in a rabbit model with established subglottic stenosis. METHODS: Subglottic stenosis was created in 42 New Zealand white rabbits through a transoral, endoscopic technique. Three weeks later, endoscopy and axial CT were performed to document and grade the degree of stenosis. Subsequently, LTR was performed in all animals, with half of the animals receiving an intraluminal stent. Four rabbits from each group were euthanized on postoperative days 6, 9, 14, 21, and 28. Measurements of graft vascularization were obtained with a computerized image measurement program, and a comparison was made regarding the rate of vascularization. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant increase in the rate of vascularization in the stented group (mean 75% +/- 5% vs 56% +/- 3% at day 14; P < 0. 05). However, clinical and radiographic comparisons of the stented and nonstented specimens revealed a trend toward increased mucosal edema and granulation tissue in the stented group at later time intervals (days 21 and 28). CONCLUSION: This analysis suggests that stenting does not inhibit graft vascularization in the early postoperative period after LTR; however, complications were seen in the stented group at longer time intervals.     

Management of pediatric laryngotracheal stenosis

In the past 6 years, 40 children underwent surgery for laryngotracheal stenosis; 32 by the external approach and 8 by endoscopic CO2 laser. Twenty-seven children (67%) were less than 5 years old at the time of treatment and 80% of the stenoses (n = 32) corresponded to an etiology that is secondary to endotracheal intubation and/or tracheotomy. By grading the stenoses according to the amount of narrowing of the lumen, the authors emphasize the interest of conservative treatment (endoscopic for grade I [less than 70%, n = 8], and treatment by external surgical methods for grade II [70% to 90%, n = 13], grade III [90% to 99%, n = 14], and grade IV [total obstruction, n = 5]). At this time, the most commonly used technique is laryngotracheoplasty with costal cartilage interposition. In this series, 88% of the patients were successfully decannulated. As for the treatment of stenosis in infants, the authors describe their recent experience of laryngotracheofissure in 7 patients as an alternative to either tracheotomy in cases of difficult extubation or laryngotracheoplasty when the child is underweight.     

Operative and non-operative treatment of benign subglottic laryngotracheal stenosis.

OBJECTIVE: Surgery is the first line of treatment for laryngotracheal stenosis; Montgomery tube or permanent tracheostomy have been so far the only alternatives. Nd-YAG laser resection and indwelling endotracheal stents have rarely been used in subglottic stenosis for anatomic and technical reasons. We have used the latter approach to optimize the timing of surgery or to achieve palliation without tracheostomy. METHODS: Between 1991 and 2001 we have treated 18 patients with subglottic stenosis (10 males, 8 females; age range 14-78, mean 34). The upper margin of the stricture was 2mm to 1cm below the vocal cords; the stenotic segment extended from 1.5 to 5 cm. Three patients had tracheostomy done elsewhere. Four patients (Group I) had laser and stenting by a Dumon prosthesis as the only treatment; six had laser and stenting (#4) followed after 1-6 months by laryngotracheal resection (Group II); eight had surgery alone (Group III). RESULTS: In Group I, one patient required repositioning of the stent and in two the stent was removed; two patients died of their underlying disease; at a follow-up of 2-9 years all living patients did well but required permanent aerosolized therapy and periodical bronchoscopy. In Group II, we had two wound infections due to airway colonization by staphylococcus aureus. In Group III, two patients developed anastomotic postoperative stenosis, treated by laser (#2) and stenting (#1), and one patient with previous tracheostomy had a wound infection. Overall, in the 14 surgical patients (Groups II and III) stenosis occurred in 14.2% and infection in 21.3%. After a follow up of 15 months to 12 years, all surgical patients breathe and speak well. CONCLUSIONS: Laser resection and endoluminal stenting can be a viable alternative to surgery or optimize the timing of operation in patients with subglottic stenosis.     

Innovations in pediatric laryngotracheal reconstruction.

Techniques for the reconstruction of pediatric subglottic and tracheal stenoses continue to undergo modification and refinement. The modified Réthi procedure of anterior laryngotracheal division and posterior cricoidotomy may be supplemented by unilateral or bilateral division of the cricoid cartilage for increased expansion of the subglottic lumen. The resulting four-quadrant division of the cricoid cartilage can be used in conjunction with the placement of cartilaginous grafts and stenting techniques common to laryngotracheal reconstruction (LTR). From October 1, 1986, to January 10, 1990, 31 four-quadrant division procedures were performed in 29 patients. Overall, decannulation has been achieved in 22 of 29 patients (76%). Another technique in LTR is the use of endotracheal tube stenting, resulting in single-stage LTR. The endotracheal tube supports the surgically expanded lumen for a period of intubation, followed by extubation. On extubation, the patient is effectively decannulated because the tracheostomy site is closed during the reconstructive procedure. From January 1, 1985, to July 31, 1990, 36 single-stage LTRs were performed in 35 patients. Overall successful results have been achieved in 30 of 35 (86%) of single-stage LTR patients.     

Feeding status after pediatric laryngotracheal reconstruction

Objective

To determine the influence of pediatric laryngotracheal reconstruction (LTR) on postoperative feeding status and longitudinal weight gain after surgery.

Study Design

Case series with chart review.

Setting

Tertiary care pediatric hospital.

Subjects and Methods

We identified 30 consecutive pediatric patients undergoing LTR from November 2005 to October 2008. Demographics, stenosis grade, surgical procedure, decannulation status, preoperative feeding status and weight, discharge feeding status, and weights at follow-up were collected. Weights were plotted on standardized growth charts at surgery, during the early postoperative period (1-3 months), and during the late postoperative period (10-14 months). Growth percentiles were compared by the use of Wilcoxon signed rank test.

Results

Twenty-eight patients (97%) maintained or advanced their feeding status after LTR. Twenty-one patients (72%) were oral feeders at surgery. All of these patients continued the same oral diet postoperatively. Five patients (17%) were dependent on gastrostomy before and after surgery. Three patients (10%) were fed via naso- or orogastric tubes at surgery. Two of these patients were discharged on an oral diet, and one required a gastrostomy tube. The median growth percentiles at the time of surgery, early postoperative, and late postoperative periods were nine, 18, and 32, respectively. Differences between percentiles at the time of surgery compared with early (P = 0.081) and late follow-up (P = 0.074) were not significant. In patients who were not dependent on gastrostomy, there was a significant increase in growth percentile at early follow-up (P = 0.026).

Conclusion

The performance of LTR does not influence feeding status. An early increase in median growth percentile is observed in oral feeders, but overall long-term median growth percentiles remain stable after LTR.     

Laryngotracheal resection and reconstruction for subglottic stenosis.

Eighty patients with inflammatory stenoses of the subglottic larynx and upper trachea were treated by single-stage laryngotracheal resection and reconstruction. Fifty stenoses originated from postintubation lesions (endotracheal tubes, tracheostomy, cricothyroidostomy), 7 originated from trauma, 19 were idiopathic, and 4 were miscellaneous. Repair consisted of resection of the anterolateral cricoid arch in all patients, plus resection of posterior laryngeal stenosis where present, with salvage of the posterior cricoid plate, appropriate resection and tailoring of the trachea, and primary anastomosis using a posterior membranous tracheal wall flap to resurface the bared cricoid cartilage in 31 patients. One postoperative death resulted from acute myocardial infarction. Long-term results were excellent in 18 patients, good in 48, satisfactory in 8, and failure in 2. Three additional patients had good results at discharge but were followed up for less than 6 months.     

耳软骨整体再造鼻侧软骨的可行性分析

目的：以耳软骨为供区,探索整体再造鼻侧软骨的方法。方法：20具（40侧）尸体标本,取下耳软骨40枚,鼻侧软骨40枚。CT扫描后重建三维图像,测量鼻侧软骨各解剖分区的相关数据。设计耳软骨3个供区可整体移植再造同侧鼻侧软骨,测量相关的形态数据。结果：耳软骨3个供区的相关形态数据大于同侧鼻侧软骨的相应数据。结论：耳甲腔、耳屏及两者之间连接的峡部（CVIT区域）,三角窝、耳轮及两者的连接部（TFH区域）,耳甲艇、耳轮及两者之间的连接部分（CBH区域）可整体取下,修整后整体再造同侧鼻侧软骨。     

声门下喉气管良性狭窄的临床分型及外科治疗

目的探讨良性声门下喉气管狭窄(SLTS)的临床分型和外科治疗方法。 方法回顾2010年1月至2014年8月上海交通大学附属胸科医院治疗的30例良性SLTS患者,其中男性21例,平均年龄47岁,合并气管食管瘘3例。根据病变上缘位置分为4型：Ⅰ型-环状软骨下缘、Ⅱ型-环状软骨前壁、Ⅲ型-环状软骨环周、Ⅳ型-临近或累及声带。 结果所有患者中,Ⅰ型6例、Ⅱ型10例、Ⅲ型13例、Ⅳ型1例。治疗方式包括1例内镜保守治疗、3例气管切开、11例T管置入、15例SLTS节段切除并一切吻合重建。一期根治手术的15例患者中,Ⅰ型病变5例,Ⅱ型4例,Ⅲ型5例,Ⅳ型1例,其中1例Ⅱ型患者术后出现再狭窄,T管支撑6个月后成功脱管,1例Ⅲ型和1例Ⅳ型患者手术失败,分别转为T管支撑和气管切开,总体脱管率86.7%(13/15)。单纯T管治疗患者通气满意。全组无死亡病例。 结论声门下部分喉气管联合切除手术可有效治愈Ⅰ～Ⅲ期良性SLTS,对于无法耐受外科手术治疗的,Montgomery T型硅酮支架是很好的临时或终末治疗手段。     

Multiple costal cartilage graft reconstruction for the treatment of a full-length laryngotracheal stenosis after an inhalation burn

After suffering an inhalation burn, a 22-year-old male was intubated for seven days. Full-length massive scar formation in the upper airway necessitated tracheostomy five months later. After this, the stenosis became complete in the cricoid region, and a long cannula was needed to maintain the severely damaged middle-distal trachea. After unsuccessful laser dilatation, the more stenotic 3?cm distal tracheal segment was resected, but two months later the stenosis recurred. As resection was ineffective, tracheoplasty was performed via a right-sided thoracotomy; the re-stenotized trachea was incised in length and successfully extended with 5?cm long, oval-shaped rib cartilage. Three months later, the complete cricotracheal stenosis was fixed by combined laryngofissure and cricoid laminotomy with two 6?cm×2.5?cm cartilage pieces sutured into the incisions. The middle portion of the trachea was expanded with a similar graft inserted into the anterior wall below the tracheostomy. The fixing T-tube was removed three months later, and the patient had an adequate airway two years after the last procedure. We conclude that multiple cartilage graft reconstruction can be successful even after the development of an extremely long airway stenosis following inhalation burn injury.     

Posterior cartilage graft in single-stage laryngotracheal reconstruction.

PURPOSE: Single-stage laryngotracheal reconstruction (LTR) has gained popularity during the past decade, but few reports discuss posterior grafting. We assessed the indications, treatment, complications, and outcomes for patients who underwent this procedure. METHODS: We reviewed the charts of 120 pediatric patients who underwent LTR at LeBonheur Children's Medical Center or the University of Mississippi Medical Center between January 1992 and September 2000. We identified and evaluated those who had undergone single-stage anterior plus posterior cartilage rib graft reconstruction during this period. RESULTS: Of 120 patients, 56 had anterior graft procedures, and 46 had anterior plus posterior cartilage rib graft reconstruction. The 46 patients included 26 boys and 20 girls (age range, 18 months to 9 years; follow-up periods, 3 months to 6 years). Twenty-one of 46 had circumferential grade III stenosis, 14 had grade IV stenosis, 4 had bilateral vocal cord paralysis, 4 had posterior glottic and subglottic stenosis, and 3 had laryngeal cleft. Eleven of 46 patients had previous procedures and required revision LTR. All 46 patients underwent single-stage reconstruction with temporary stenting using an endotracheal tube for 10 to 24 days; 4 failed required replacement of the tracheotomy tube, and 8 required reintubation after the first extubation. The overall decannulation success rate was 83% (38 of 46). CONCLUSIONS: LTR is the procedure of choice for the surgical management of subglottic stenosis. Although use of a posterior rib graft is technically demanding and requires extensive experience, good results can be obtained when the guidelines are followed.     

The survival of costal cartilage graft in laryngotracheal reconstruction

Acquired subglottic stenosis in children is a difficult problem. One of the successful procedures used to correct this condition is an autogenous costal cartilage graft to the subglottis and upper trachea. The fate of the cartilage graft is not known, despite the good results of the procedure. Prompted by recovery of viable cartilage graft from two patients previously operated upon by this procedure, we performed autogenous costal cartilage grafting to the subglottic area of fifty young New Zealand rabbits, with inspection of these grafts at 2- and 4-month postoperative intervals. The purpose of this study is to prove the survival of autogenous costal cartilage grafts in the subglottic area. Gross and histologic examination 2 and 4 months postoperatively showed viable cartilage as well as lining of the graft with respiratory epithelium in the majority of cases.     

A new technique for T tube insertion in severe subglottic stenosis

T tube insertion for subglottic stenosis is often difficult due to bending of the T tube itself. A T tube could be inserted safely and consistently in a patient with severe subglottic stenosis employing a method that we newly devised. Our method can be performed under local anesthesia without special instruments and is technically straightforward. And also, our method is considered to be applicable to marked stenosis and stenosis with a complex morphology. Herein we present an improved method for inserting a silicone T tube through a tracheostomy stoma in patients with severe subglottic stenosis.     

Vascular-pedicled costal cartilage graft for the treatment of subglottic and upper tracheal stenosis

Background/purpose

Free costal cartilage graft for the treatment of subglottic and tracheal stenosis is widely used, but postoperative granulation formation is a problem. To reduce the risk of granulation formation after free costal graft, a new operation of costal cartilage graft with vascular pedicle was introduced.

Methods

A vascular pedicled fifth costal cartilage graft is prepared using internal thoracic artery and vein and intercostal artery and vein as a vascular pedicle. The prepared graft is brought to the upper trachea. The anterior wall of cricoid is split, and the costal cartilage graft is implanted to the split part and tracheostomy. Extubation on the next day is possible if the general condition of the patient permits.

Results

In 3 cases of subglottic or upper tracheal stenosis, this operation was performed. All the patients had tracheostomy made during early infancy. The postoperative course was uneventful, and all the patients were extubated soon after the operation. No granulation tissue was obserbed by postoperative bronchoscopic examinations.

Conclusions

Costal cartilage graft with vascular pedicle is a safe and useful new operation for the treatment of subglottic and upper tracheal stenosis. There also is a possibility of using this procedure for the treatment of long segment tracheal stenosis.     

Advancement flaps for alar reconstruction

Advancement flaps were used for reconstruction of a full-thickness and a partial-thickness rectangular defect limited to a part of the nasal ala. The flap's base in the medial cheek was locked into a forward position by elimination of a Burow triangle from the nasolabial fold.     

Primary lymphoma of the subglottic airway in a patient with Sjogren's syndrome mimicking high laryngotracheal stenosis

Primary B cell lymphoma of the central airways is a rare tumor. This report describes a case of primary B cell lymphoma of the subglottic airway in a patient with Sjogren's syndrome, which resembled a benign, cicatricial subglottic stenosis. Successful management was achieved using surgical resection with laryngotracheal reconstruction.     

Partial cricotracheal resection for pediatric subglottic stenosis: long-term outcome in 57 patients

OBJECTIVE: We sought to assess the long-term outcome of 57 pediatric patients who underwent partial cricotracheal resection for subglottic stenosis. METHODS: Eighty-one pediatric partial cricotracheal resections were performed in our tertiary care institution between 1978 and 2004. Fifty-seven patients had a minimal follow-up time of 1 year and were included in this study. Evaluation was based on the last laryngotracheal endoscopy, the responses to a questionnaire, and a retrospective review of the patient's data. The following parameters were analyzed: decannulation rates, breathing, voice quality, and deglutition. RESULTS: A single-stage partial cricotracheal resection was performed in 38 patients, and a double-stage procedure was performed in 19 patients. Sixteen patients underwent an extended partial cricotracheal resection (ie, partial cricotracheal resection combined with another open procedure). At a median follow-up time of 5.1 years, the decannulation rates after a single- or double-stage procedure were 97.4% and 95%, respectively. Two patients remained tracheotomy dependent. One patient had moderate exertional dyspnea, and all other patients had no exertional dyspnea. Voice quality was found to improve after surgical intervention for 1 +/- 1.34 grade dysphonia (P < .0001) according to the adapted GRBAS grading system (Grade, Roughness, Breathiness, Asthenia, and Strain). CONCLUSIONS: Partial cricotracheal resection provides good results for grades III and IV subglottic stenosis as primary or salvage operations. The procedure has no deleterious effects on laryngeal growth and function. The quality of voice significantly improves after surgical intervention but largely depends on the preoperative condition.