Single-stage Laryngotracheal Reconstruction in the Children with Laryngotracheal Stenosis

소아 후두기관협착 환자에서 single-stage 방법의 후두기관재건수술

Background and Objectives: Laryngotracheal stenosis and its reconstruction in children is a highly challenging field to airway surgeons, and the way of stenting after a reconstructive surgery is still controversial. The aims of this study were to analyze the single institutional experiences of laryngotracheal reconstruction (LTR) in the pediatric patients with laryngotracheal stenosis and to compare the outcomes of single-stage LTR (SSLTR) with conventional two-stage LTR (TSLTR) in these patients. Materials and Methods: Medical records of 14 children (mean age 4.1 years) were reviewed, who received 20 LTR including 6 revisions for their moderate to severe subglottic stenosis and/or combined posterior glottic stenosis. Of these 20 LTR, tracheostoma was temporarily maintained after LTR in 12 cases (TSLTR) or not in the other 8 cases (SSLTR). Results: Overall decannulation rate of LTR that were performed before and after the year of 2003 was 40% (4/10) and 70% (7/10) respectively. Decannulation rate was 42% (5/12) in TSLTR group and 75% (6/8) in SSLTR group (P = 0.197). Mean interval to decannulation after LTR was 9.8 months and 7.2 days in TSLTR and SSLTR groups respectively (P = 0.004). A number of additional touch-up procedures that were required after LTR was 4 in TSLTR and 2.7 in SSLTR group (P = 0.238). Major complication rate was similar in both groups (33% in TSLTR and 38% in SSLTR, P = 0.910). Conclusion: A laryngotracheal reconstruction in children is a technically demanding procedure and its outcome is largely dependent on the surgeon's experience. Albeit there was a tendency that SSLTR ofters a higher decannulation rate, less additional touch-up procedures and similar complication rates, a shorter interval to decannulation after LTR was the only advantage that was confirmed as statistically significant in this study.