The balloon dilation tracheoplasty in the management of acquired subglottic stenosis in infants

Introduction:

To assess the efficiency and characteristics of balloon dilation tracheoplasty technique in the management of acquired subglottic stenosis in infants.

Methods:

Three cases were diagnosed as acquired subglottic stenosis by symptoms and bronchoscopy, and received the treatment of the balloon dilatation tracheoplasty. We used the Bielefeld balloon catheter known from Eustachian tube dilatation. The data about the efficiency, complication and prognosis of the treatment were collected.

Results:

In the 3 cases, all patients were successfully managed without tracheotomy. All cases were divided into three stages according to Cotton-Myer stage system: 3 cases were stage II stenosis. The big advantage from our procedure is the continuous ventilation without time limit. The endotracheal tube is positioned byside the Bielefeld balloon catheter inside the Stenosis. The course is multiple continuable without any lesions. The most common complication in the balloon dilatation tracheoplasty was restenosis. Restenosis occurs in 2 cases who received more than 1 dilation procedures in this study.

Conclusions:

Subglottic stenosis in pediatric patients can be successfully managed with balloon dilatation tracheoplasty. In patients without prior tracheotomy, tracheotomy can often be safely avoided with appropriate postoperative management.

Publication History

Publication Date:
23 April 2019 (online)