Experience with laryngotracheal reconstruction in subglottic stenosis in a 30 years time period

Background: Severe subglottic stenosis is a difficult condition to manage. It can be treated by laryngotracheal reconstruction or cricotracheal resection. Patients and Methods: In this retrospective study the experiences for treatment of isolated subglottic stenosis in 37 patients (age: 3-78 years; stenosis grading: 20 x grade II, 13 x grade III, and 4 x grade IV) by laryngotracheal reconstruction in a 30-years experience are presented. Results: In 33 out of 37 patients (89.2 %) a sufficient subglottic patency (postoperative endoscopic finding: stenosis less than 30%) was achieved by laryngotracheal reconstruction. However, 5 patients of this series had required revision of laryngotracheal recontruction and in 22 patients endoscopic removal of granulation tissue had been performed. Sufficient widening of the subglottic space had been possible in all grade II stenosis (20/20), in 11 out of 13 patients with grade III stenosis, and in 3 out of 4 patients with grade IV stenosis. In one child an accidental decannulation occurred and due to asphyxia an apallic syndrome developed. Conclusions: Even through laryngotracheal reconstruction is a demanding surgical technique requiring great experience it is an effective option for treatment of subglottic stenosis less than 90%. For severe subglottic stenosis (>90%) treatment by laryngotracheal reconstruction is possible and should be considered if mobilisation of the trachea by scar tissue is suited to be worse or to extended cricotracheal stenosis is present, both being not good candidates for cricotracheal resection.