Pediatric laryngotracheal stenosis

Severe laryngotracheal stenosis (LTS) in children is a problem of increasing incidence in the past 15 years, following the widespread adoption of prolonged endotracheal intubation for respiratory support. Rarer cases of stenosis secondary to external trauma, high tracheotomy, thermal and chemical burns, and dystrophic cartilage are seen. In contrast to congenital subglottic stenosis, where conservative therapy is generally indicated, severe, mature LTS often requires surgical correction--either endoscopic or external reconstruction. The prevailing attitude has been to perform a tracheotomy and hope for decannulation after 1 or 2 years, due to the expected growth of the larynx. This attitude developed from experience with congenital subglottic stenosis. Unfortunately, acquired LTS tends to be a much more severe problem than congenital subglottic stenosis; the degree of obstruction is usually greater and loss of cartilaginous support of the airway commonly occurs. Some of the acquired lesions are so severe that often no lumen is demonstrable. In such cases no amount of growth will allow extubation. A variety of endoscopic methods such as dilation, with or without resection using diathermy, cryotherapy, or laser, or steroid injection are certainly helpful in the early phases of wound healing while granulation tissue is still present or while the scar tissue is still soft and pliable. To deal with the mature, hard, fibrous unresponsive scar, various authors have proposed different approaches both endoscopic and external reconstruction. The present study discusses a unique experience of external laryngotracheal reconstruction (LTR) in 100 children. In the evaluation of LTS, a thorough endoscopic evaluation is required using both flexible and rigid endoscopic techniques.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Thyroid alar cartilage laryngotracheal reconstruction for severe pediatric subglottic stenosis

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Laryngotracheoplasty has become an accepted treatment alternative for subglottic stenosis. However, the best autogenous material for laryngotracheoplasty remains controversial. Autogenous superior thyroid alar cartilage (TAC) has been used successfully in single stage laryngotracheal reconstruction in children with subglottic stenosis. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of 6 children (mean age, 16.6 months) undergoing TAC graft laryngotracheoplasty between September 1995, and June 1999. Two children had immediate tracheal intubation for congenital subglottic stenosis. Four others had previous tracheostomy: 3 for severe postintubation subglottic stenosis and 1 for congenital subglottic stenosis. After an anterior cricoid split, a piece of TAC was sutured between the cut ends of the cricoid, with the graft perichondrium facing intraluminally. Endotracheal intubation was maintained postoperatively. RESULTS: Four children underwent successfully extubation 9 to 21 days (mean, 15.5 days) postoperatively. Two required tracheostomy, which was maintained because of severe laryngomalacia and laryngotracheobronchomalacia. One child was treated with CO2 laser because of symptomatic recurrence of the subglottic stenosis 3 weeks after the surgery; another required fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux 12 months after laryngotracheoplasty. There were no donor site complications in any of the 6 cases. Repeat laryngoscopy and bronchoscopy showed a patent subglottic airway. All of them are without symptoms after a mean follow-up of 26 months. CONCLUSIONS: (1) This preliminary experience indicates that the TAC graft technique is a viable option for laryngotracheal reconstruction; (2) the TAC graft has significant advantages, including a single operative incision and absence of donor-site morbidity.     

Airway reconstruction in pediatric burn patients.

OBJECTIVE: Reconstruction of the laryngotracheal airway in pediatric burn victims has been described anecdotally as less successful than reconstruction performed in other populations. To evaluate this clinical impression, outcomes of laryngotracheal reconstruction (LTR) in pediatric burn victims were compared with a randomly selected, matched control population of children receiving LTR. DESIGN: Retrospective case control study. SUBJECTS: The records of 34 pediatric burn victims undergoing LTR were reviewed. A control group of 48 children undergoing LTR for acquired stenosis was randomly selected from a population matched for age and grade of stenosis. RESULTS: Decannulation rate after 1st procedure, number of open airway procedures required, and length of time after 1st procedure until decannulation were not significantly different between the 2 groups. Two deaths (both tracheostomy tube related) occurred in the burn group; 1 occurred in the control group. Two patients in the burn group and 3 patients in the control group remain tracheostomy tube dependent at least 1 year after the initial reconstructive attempt. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term outcomes of LTR in burn patients are not significantly different from outcomes of LTR in the pediatric acquired airway stenosis population.     

Laryngotracheal reconstruction in congenital laryngeal webs and atresias.

OBJECTIVE: To review the role of open laryngotracheal reconstruction (LTR) in congenital laryngeal webs and atresias. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: A retrospective chart review was undertaken in a specialist otorhinolaryngology unit in an academic tertiary referral paediatric hospital. Twenty-one patients with congenital laryngeal subglottic stenosis (SGS) underwent LTR between 1993 and 2003. Two groups were identified; one group had SGS alone (n = 6) and the other group had SGS associated with a laryngeal web (n = 15). Information recorded included presenting features, classification of lesion, surgery performed, and whether decannulation was achieved. RESULTS: All grades of stenosis (Myer-Cotton classification) and webs of type 2, 3, and 4 (Cohen's classification) were recorded. Fifteen patients had a staged reconstruction and 6 patients had a single-stage LTR. Complications included 2 revision procedures, 3 tracheocutaneous fistulas, and 1 death (cause unrelated). All appropriate patients were successfully decannulated at between 3 and 18 months post-LTR (median, 5 months). CONCLUSION: This series illustrates the effective role of open LTR in both congenital SGS alone and that in association with glottic webbing.     

Endoscopic management of subglottic stenosis

OBJECTIVES: Determine the effectiveness of endoscopic surgical treatment of subglottic stenosis (SGS) in children as a primary surgical modality to prevent laryngotracheal reconstruction (LTR) and as treatment for restenosis following primary LTR to prevent revision LTR. PATIENTS: Children undergoing various endoscopic surgical treatments from 1989 to 2006 for SGS. RESULTS: The number of children and success rates per grade of SGS and the number of procedures required to produce a successful result in 29 children initially managed endoscopically included grade I, three of three (100%), 1.3 procedures; grade II, eight of nine (88%), 2.6 procedures; and grade III, 13 of 17 (76%), 3.5 procedures. Of 102 patients undergoing open LTR, 56 of 102 required endoscopic interventions and 41 of 56 (73%) children were treated successfully. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic intervention can be used to manage SGS either as a primary intervention or to treat reobstruction and restenosis following an open reconstructive procedure. Success rates decline as the severity of stenosis increases.     

Prevention and management of laryngeal stenosis in infants and children

Acquired laryngeal stenosis is a well-documented complication of endotracheal intubation. Premature infants requiring ventilatory support for respiratory distress syndrome are at increased risk for developing laryngeal stenosis. Until recently, the techniques for repair of laryngeal stenosis have required a temporary tracheotomy which complicates the management and has an associated mortality. In 1980 the use of an anterior cricoid split was described to treat laryngeal stenosis in infants. The technique has been modified: the anterior cricoid split procedure as originally described required a single midline vertical incision through the anterior cartilaginous ring of the cricoid cartilage and the upper 2 tracheal rings; the modification is an extension of the superior limit of the incision in the thyroid cartilage to within 2 mm of the thyroid notch. The technique has been used in 45 children whose ages range from 4 days to 28 months. In addition to being of value for the treatment of laryngeal stenosis in premature infants (29 patients), 2 other clinical groups of children who benefit from the produce have been identified; 11 infants who developed laryngeal stenosis in the first 2 years of life secondary to intubation and in whom the anterior cricoid split was used as an alternative to tracheotomy; 5 infants under 2 years of age, each with a tracheotomy for laryngeal stenosis in whom the anterior cricoid split was used as an alternative to more extensive methods of laryngotracheal reconstruction. Of the premature infants (29), 18 were successfully extubated, 5 still required a tracheotomy, and 6 died before extubation was accomplished; the predominant cause of death was respiratory failure secondary to the underlying bronchopulmonary dysplasia.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

会厌在外伤性喉气管狭窄整复中的应用

目的探讨会厌在外伤性喉气管狭窄整复中的应用及术后疗效。方法1988年1月～2002年2月，收治外伤性喉气管狭窄42例，其中喉狭窄33例，喉气管狭窄9例。年龄9～48岁，平均28．2岁。病程1～26个月，平均10．2个月。均采用手术治疗，方法：①会厌下移 胸骨舌骨肌肌筋膜瓣整复术；②会厌下移 胸骨舌骨肌肌筋膜瓣 胸锁乳突肌锁骨膜瓣整复术。结果术后37例10～75d拔除气管套管，拔管率为88．1％，5例戴管，占22．9％；42例均于术后9～24d拔除胃管，其中5例轻度误吸，经练习后1周内均恢复正常进食；25例放置扩张子，拔除时间为9～19d；42例中5例术后2～5个月有肉芽组织生长，经支撑喉镜下激光治疗1～3次治愈；术后均获1年～3年4个月随访，37例拔管者喉功能完全恢复，5例戴管者部分恢复喉功能。结论会厌用于整复喉气管狭窄，具有取材简便、抗感染能力强、成活率高及结构稳定等优点，与双肌蒂胸骨舌骨肌肌筋膜瓣联合应用能修复较大范围的缺损。胸锁乳突肌锁骨膜瓣其骨膜面光滑而致密，不易发生萎缩，是修复气管壁缺损的理想材料。     

The management of post-intubation tracheal stenoses with self-expandable stents: early and long-term results in 11 cases

Objective: The optimal management of post-intubation tracheal stenoses is surgical reconstruction of the airway. Stenting of the trachea using silastic T-tubes or one of the various types of tracheal stents are the alternative ways to surgical reconstruction for the management of post-intubation tracheal stenoses. The early and long-term results of 11 patients with post-intubation tracheal stenosis, who underwent tracheal stenting with self-expandable metallic stents (SEMSs), are presented. Methods: Twelve patients (10 men, mean age: 47.8 ± 20.4 years) with post-intubation tracheal stenosis were referred for tracheal stenting with SEMS (2000–2004). In three cases, the upper tracheal stenosis extended within the subglottic larynx. Stenting was successful in 11 patients, while, in one patient with involvement of the subglottic larynx, the attempt to insert the stent failed. Follow-up time varied from 6 to 96 months, and it was made with virtual and fiberoptic bronchoscopy. Results: Immediate relief of obstructive symptoms was observed in all the 11 patients, where an SEMS was successfully inserted. Stent dislodgement occurred shortly after the procedure in two patients, and it was treated with insertion of a new stent in the first case and a stent-on-stent insertion in the second. Good patency of the stent was observed in three patients for 60–96 months. Three patients with good patency of the stent died from other reasons 24–48 months after stent insertion. Four patients developed obstructive granulation tissue at the ends of the stent after 12–43 months, requiring further treatment with thermal lasers and/or tracheostomy. One patient underwent stent removal and successful laryngotracheal reconstruction 6 months after stent insertion. Conclusions: The application of SEMS in post-intubation tracheal stenoses results in immediate improvement of obstructive symptoms without significant perioperative complications. SEMSs have the potential risks of migration and of granulation tissue formation at the end of the stent. SEMS should be applied only in strictly selected patients with post-intubation tracheal stenosis, who are considered unfit for surgery and/or with limited life expectancy.     

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.     

Laryngotracheal stenosis in children after intubation. Report of five cases

Acquired laryngotracheal stenosis is a serious long term complication of tracheal intubation with an incidence of 0.7 to 8% in intubated children. We report five cases of subglottic stenosis over a 4.5-year period and review the pathology and pathogenesis of the condition. A diagnosis of subglottic stenosis was suspected when extubation failed due to the onset of dyspnoea or laryngeal stridor. An incidence of 0.9% of all intubated children was observed. We conclude that the main components contributing to stenosis are pathologies with decreased mucosal capillary perfusion pressure and intubation conditions.     

Successful Reconstruction of Extensive Laryngotracheal Strictures After Inhalation Burn Injury: Report of a Case

We report a rare case of long segmental laryngotracheal stenosis following inhalation burn injury. The patient presented 2 months after his injury with progressive stridor and dyspnea necessitating tracheostomy. A computed tomographic scan of the neck revealed stenosis extending from the vocal cords to the top of the sternum. Repair was successfully carried out with multiple surgical procedures employing hinge-flap closure tented with autogenous tissue. Received: March 1, 2001 / Accepted: July 17, 2001     

Treatment of transplant ureteral stenosis with Acucise endoureterotomy

Treatment of ureteral stenosis has been attempted in many patients with transplanted kidneys. Treatment with the Acucise catheter system is a new approach for such patients. Published results of the approach in eight patients promise safety, effectiveness, and low perioperative morbidity. We report two cases of transplant ureteral stenosis treated with Acucise. One patient with stenosis of the pyeloureteral junction was treated successfully and has been free of recurrence for 9 months. The other patient had long-distance stenosis of the lower portion of the transplant ureter. Acucise incision was successful, but the patient had to undergo ureteroneocystostomy because of a ureteroperitoneal fistula. We use these cases to illustrate the disadvantages of endourological ureteral surgery as a standard therapeutic approach after renal transplantation. We suggest that Acucise is reliable when used in patients with uncomplicated short-distance ureteral stenosis; however, patients with long-distance stenosis or stenosis caused by heavily scarred periureteral tissue will not profit from it because of a higher complication rate. Received: 14 January 1998 Received after revision: 9 March 1998 Accepted: 16 March 1998     

The use of a retrievable self-expanding stent in treating childhood benign esophageal strictures

Background/Purpose

Esophageal stenting is a popular form of treatment of esophageal strictures in adults but is not widely used in children. The aim of the current study was to investigate whether esophageal stents could be used safely and effectively in the treatment of esophageal stenosis in children.

Methods

Covered retrievable expandable nitinol stents were placed in 8 children with corrosive esophageal stenosis. The stents were removed 1 to 4 weeks after insertion.

Results

The stents were placed in all patients without complications and were later removed successfully. After stent placement, all patients could take solid food without dysphagia. Stent migration occurred in one patient and so the insertion procedure was repeated to reposition the stent. During the 3-month follow-up period after stent removal, all children could eat satisfactorily. After 6 months, 2 children required balloon dilation (3 times in one and 5 times in the other). The dysphagia score improved in all patients.

Conclusions

The use of the covered retrievable expandable stent is an effective and safe method in treating childhood corrosive esophageal stenosis.     

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。     

Long-term results of laryngotracheal resection for benign stenosis.

OBJECTIVE: We report the long-term results of our 16-year experience with laryngotracheal resection for benign stenosis. METHODS: Between 1991 and 2006, 35 consecutive patients (19 males, 16 females) underwent laryngotracheal resection for subglottic postintubation (32) or idiopathic (3) stenosis. Mean age was 43 years (range 14-71). At the time of surgery 13 patients presented with tracheostomy and 7 with a Dumon stent. The upper limit of the stenosis was from 0.6 to 1.5 cm below the vocal cords. The length of airway resection ranged between 1.5 and 6 cm. Suprahyoid release was performed in two patients and pericardial release in one. Nine patients had psychiatric and/or neurological post-coma disorders. Mean follow-up is over 5 years (61 months; range 3-194). RESULTS: There was no perioperative mortality. Thirty patients (85.7%) had excellent or good anatomic and functional results. Four patients (11.4%) presented restenosis at a distance of 25-110 days from the operation. Restenosis was successfully treated by endoscopic procedures in all four patients. One patient (2.9%) presented anastomotic dehiscence that required temporary tracheostomy closed after 1 year with no sequelae. Three patients (8.4%) had wound infection. Long-term follow-up was uneventful also in patients who had early complications. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term follow-up confirms that laryngotracheal resection is the definitive curative treatment for benign subglottic stenosis. Surgical complications can be successfully managed by non-operative procedures. Despite the occurrence of early complications, excellent and stable results can still be obtained at long term.     

Laryngotracheal stenosis: a 5-year review

Twenty-seven children with varying degrees of laryngotracheal stenosis were treated at Texas Children's Hospital (TCH) from January 1984 to January 1989. Nineteen children had a residual airway demonstrable preoperatively, and following laryngotracheoplasty, 18 (95%) were successfully decannulated; all but 1 had a normal voice. Eight children had complete stenosis. Of these children, 6 could be decannulated, but 3 required a second laryngotracheoplasty. Four children now have voice abnormalities.     

Long segment congenital tracheal stenosis in twins successfully treated by slide tracheoplasty

Long segment congenital tracheal stenosis (LSCTS), associated with complete tracheal rings, is a rare condition, difficult to manage and historically associated with high mortality rate. We report two pairs of identical twins all affected by LSCTS successfully treated by sliding tracheoplasty. All had severe respiratory distress. Three infants had left pulmonary artery (LPA) sling and one intra-cardiac malformation. Slide tracheoplasty was done under cardiopulmonary bypass, and cardiovascular malformations were corrected at the same time. One child needed plication of paralyzed right hemi-diaphragm and another distal tracheal Palmaz stent insertion due severe tracheobronchomalacia. All children are doing well during 6 months follow-up. Slide tracheoplasty seems to produce the same good early results in twins as for singletons with LSCTS.     

The growth of circumferential scars of the major airways from infancy to adulthood

The factors affecting the development and prognosis of scarred airways in children are presented from a long-term follow-up study of 14 cases of tracheobronchial lesions following either injury or operation. Four children managed by endoluminal treatment developed severe stenosis and required treatment, later as adults, by laser resection in 2 cases and by laryngotracheal plastic enlargement and resection with anastomosis in 1 case each. The follow-up of 7 children managed by plastic procedures showed inconsistent results: they were good or excellent in 3 cases but with a decrease in the laryngotracheal diameter of 36%, 28% and 7% respectively. The laryngotracheal calibre decreased in 2 patients to 45% due to partial fibrous stenosis. Resection and anastomosis was required in the remaining 2 patients after 11 and 12 years for severe re-stenosis. The 3 patients who underwent immediate surgical resection all had an excellent clinical and morphological result, with a decrease in the laryngotracheal diameter of only 7%, 13% and 19% after a follow-up of 18, 20 and 15 years, respectively. These results show that the growth capacity of scars in children's airways is closely related to residual sclerosis following the initial treatment. It is thus suggested that primary resection and anastomosis should be performed in as many cases as possible. In the performance of plastic procedures, special attention should be paid to complete resection of the fibrotic tissues. Finally, a very long postoperative follow-up is always required in children in order to assess the development of the airway.     

Slide thyrocricotracheoplasty for the treatment of high-grade subglottic stenosis in children

Background/Purpose

The aim of this study was to describe our early experiences with a novel surgical procedure, “slide thyrocricotracheoplasty,” for the treatment of high-grade subglottic stenosis in children.

Patients and Methods

A retrospective analysis was performed in 7 children who underwent slide thyrocricotracheoplasty for high-grade subglottic stenosis from 1996 to 2009.

Results

Three patients were male and four were female. The etiology of subglottic stenosis was congenital (n = 4) or acquired (n = 3). All patients had undergone a tracheostomy before slide thyrocricotracheoplasty. Median age at operation was 16 months (range, 1-25 months). The median follow-up period after definitive operation was 58 months (range, 13-156 months). There was one case requiring debridement and re-anastomosis of slide thyrocricotracheoplasty site because of anastomotic disruption caused by a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection of the cartilage and one case requiring a minor operation to remove granulation tissue. At final follow-up, all patients did not have any airway cannulation with satisfactory functional outcome in terms of breathing and swallowing. All except one were noted to have acceptable vocal function. The patient with unsatisfactory vocal function continued to receive voice rehabilitation treatment.

Conclusions

Slide thyrocricotracheoplasty offers an efficient surgical treatment option with minimal morbidity for high-grade subglottic stenosis in children.     

Bilateral severe carotid stenosis or occlusion and computed tomographic scan positive hemispheric stroke with neurologic deficit: Immediate contralateral carotid endarterectomy

In the last 10 years, 13 patients presented with acute, hemispheric, computed tomographic scan-positive stroke; neurologic deficit; and bilateral carotid stenosis greater than 90% (N=9) or ipsilateral occlusion with contralateral stenosis greater than 90% (N=4). To improve ipsilateral flow without elevation of pressure to levels causing hemorrhagic infarction, all patients underwent carotid endarterectomy on the side contralateral to the hemispheric stroke from two to 10 days (average 6.6 days) from onset of symptoms. Those with fluctuating deficits stabilized to the initial fixed deficit and all 13 improved over the next six months. Four patients with ipsilateral internal carotid occlusion and one with ipsilateral severe siphon stenosis were discharged on antiplatelet therapy; of the remaining eight patients, seven underwent subsequent ipsilateral carotid endarterectomy from 42 to 111 days (average 58.4 days) from onset of symptoms. Mortality and stroke rate were 0. The four patients with internal carotid occlusion and the one with severe siphon stenosis filled both hemispheres from the contralateral carotid artery arteriographically in four and by oculoplethysmography in one. One patient demonstrated preferential flow from contralateral to the ipsilateral hemisphere, but not the reverse; one patient demonstrated pericallosal collaterals. Immediate endarterectomy of the severely diseased carotid artery contralateral to a hemisphere with a computed tomographic scan-positive stroke causing neurologic deficit resulting from a severe carotid stenosis is a safe treatment option and may be beneficial in those with fluctuating neurologic deficits.Presented at the New England Society for Vascular Surgery, September 14, 1990, Newport, Rhode Island.