Methylation-Based Characterization of a New IDH2 Mutation in Sinonasal Undifferentiated Carcinoma.

Mutations affecting codon 172 of the isocitrate dehydrogenase 2 (IDH2) gene define a subgroup of sinonasal undifferentiated carcinomas (SNUCs) with a relatively favorable prognosis and a globally hypermethylated phenotype. They are also recurrent (along with IDH1 mutations) in gliomas, acute myeloid leukemia, and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Commonly reported mutations, all associated with aberrant IDH2 enzymatic activity, include R172K, R172S, R172T, R172G, and R172M. We present a case of SNUC with a never-before-described IDH2 mutation, R172A. Our report compares the methylation pattern of our sample to other cases from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Hierarchical clustering suggests a strong association between our sample and other IDH-mutant SNUCs and a clear distinction between sinonasal normal tissues and tumors. Principal component analysis (PCA), using 100 principal components explaining 94.5% of the variance, showed the position of our sample to be within 1.02 standard deviation of the other IDH-mutant SNUCs. A molecular modeling analysis of the IDH2 R172A versus other R172 variants provides a structural explanation to how they affect the protein active site. Our findings thus suggest that the R172A mutation in IDH2 confers a gain of function similar to other R172 mutations in IDH2, resulting in a similar hypermethylated profile.

Utility of flexible interventional endoscopy in endoscopic sinus surgery: a case series.

PURPOSE: During endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS), difficult-to-reach pathologies need an extended endoscopic approach or an external approach. We started to use a flexible interventional endoscope (FIE) to evaluate the necessity of those approaches. The study's objective is to describe our experience and define patients who could benefit from this technique. METHODS: We reviewed every patient who benefited from FIE associated with ESS at our tertiary University Hospital between January 2021 and February 2022. RESULTS: During this period, we did 107 ESS, and 14 patients benefited from the FIE, representing 13% of our ESS. The median duration of the flexible endoscopy time was 14 min (4-38 min). We identified three groups of patients who can benefit from the FIE. The first one is for patients with a fungal infection, to control and to clean lateral recesses in a noninvasive manner. The second one is for patients with a pathology of the lateral frontal sinus, to remove the frontoethmoidal cells or mucocele with the biopsy forceps through the working channel. The third group is for patients with inverted papillomas, to precisely identify the insertion and to decide on the most appropriate surgical approach. CONCLUSIONS: In selected cases, using flexible endoscopy during ESS helps decide the optimal surgical approach and sometimes treat the pathology through a limited approach. Prospective studies for each group of patients are needed to confirm the benefit of this new combined procedure.

Technical feasibility, clinical effectiveness, and safety of esophageal stricture dilation using a novel endoscopic attachment cap in adults with eosinophilic esophagitis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The BougieCap (Ovesco Endoscopy AG, Tübingen, Germany) is a new device that allows optical and tactile feedback during stricture dilation of the upper GI tract. We evaluated the technical feasibility, clinical efficacy, and safety of a 1-time esophageal stricture dilation using the BougieCap in adults with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). METHODS: EoE patients prospectively included in the Swiss EoE Cohort were dilated with the BougieCap for esophageal strictures (esophageal diameter, ≤14 mm) and stricture-related symptoms. Symptoms were assessed before and 2 weeks after a single dilation session using the validated Eosinophilic Esophagitis Activity Index Patient Reported Outcomes instrument (score ranges from 0 to 100 points). RESULTS: Fifty patients (70% men; median age, 41 years; median disease duration, 4 years; 50% treated with swallowed topical corticosteroids, 10% with proton pump inhibitors, 14% with combined swallowed topical corticosteroids plus proton pump inhibitors, 14% with elimination diet, 12% without antieosinophil therapy) were evaluated. Endoscopic bougienage was technically successful in 100%. The median esophageal diameter increased from 12 mm (interquartile range [IQR], 12-13) to 16 mm (IQR, 16-16; P < .001). Median symptom severity dropped from 32 points (IQR, 27-41) to 0 (IQR, 0-10; P < .001) at 2 weeks postdilation. In 1 patient the BougieCap was temporarily lost after stricture dilation in the hypopharynx but could be retrieved. No severe adverse events were reported. CONCLUSIONS: In adults with EoE, endoscopic treatment of esophageal strictures using the BougieCap is technically feasible and safe and offers significant symptomatic improvement in the short term.

Three-Dimensional Printed Nasal Prostheses After Oncologic Rhinectomies: Workflow and Patients' Satisfaction.

ABSTRACT: Reconstructions after oncologic full-thickness rhinectomies are often deferred from the ablative surgery. Definitive silicone prostheses are usually not used for transitional rehabilitation, and therefore, patients may deal with major facial defects for a long time before reconstruction. The aim was to develop a time- and cost-effective digital workflow to three-dimensional print temporary nasal prostheses and to assess patients' satisfaction. This prospective study enrolled all consecutive patients after full thickness ablative surgery and deferred reconstruction, from May 2018 to October 2019, at a tertiary care academic institution. With a dedicated software, the pre- and postoperative scans were three-dimensional processed to create the prosthesis and they were directly printed in elastic transparent resin. A cross-sectional survey was conducted 4 months after the rehabilitation to assess patients' satisfaction regarding comfort, aesthetics, and security of the retaining system. Seven patients were enrolled and they were all rehabilitated using this workflow. Mean time of design was 2h48 (SD 40 minutes), and mean printing time was 5h18 (SD 1 hour). Mean cost of production was 753 U.S. Dollars (SD 144 U.S. Dollars). Median scores of the visual analog scales were 8 out of 10 for each topic with interquartile range of 4 to 7 for aesthetics, 7 to 9 for comfort, and 7 to 10 for security of the retaining system. It has shown its feasibility in terms of costs and time of production. Patients were satisfied and it can be considered as a mean to help patients to deal with treatment sequelaes before definitive reconstruction.

[Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps†: is there a place for monoclonal antibodies in 2020†?] / Allergologie-immunologie - Rhinosinusite chronique avec polypes nasaux†: quelle est la place des anticorps monoclonaux en 2020†?

Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps is a severe form of chronic rhinosinusitis, which has a strong negative impact on quality of life. Rhinoscopy is helpful for diagnosis, and initial management depends on intra-nasal corticosteroids and sometimes short-term oral corticosteroids (1 to 3 weeks). If well-conducted drug therapy fails, surgery is considered. In the event of post-surgery recurrence or in case of concomitant severe asthma, biologic therapies represent an interesting option. These drugs include dupilumab, mepolizumab, benralizumab and omalizumab. The choice of medication depends on the individual patient context, which includes the presence of atopic dermatitis, eosinophilia, or asthma.

La rhinosinusite chronique avec polypes nasaux constitue une forme sévère de rhinosinusite chronique qui a un impact significatif sur la qualité de vie des personnes affectées. La rhinoscopie aide à poser le diagnostic et la prise en charge initiale repose sur les corticostéroïdes intranasaux avec parfois de courtes cures de corticostéroïdes per os (1 à 3 semaines). En cas d'échec du traitement médicamenteux bien conduit, la chirurgie est envisagée. Lors de récurrence après chirurgie ou en présence d'un asthme difficile à contrôler, les médicaments biologiques constituent une alternative intéressante. Ceux-ci comprennent notamment le dupilumab, le mépolizumab, le benralizumab et l'omalizumab. Le choix de la molécule sera dicté par le contexte individuel du patient, en fonction de la présence d'une dermatite atopique, d'une éosinophilie ou d'un asthme associé.

[COVID-related ENT affections: acute management and issues of rehabilitation strategy]. / Atteintes ORL liées au Covid : prise en charge aiguë et enjeux de la stratégie rééducative.

The ENT specialist manages patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection in the acute phase as well as in the long-term sequelae. Acute management includes evaluation of patients with prolonged orotracheal intubation, surgical tracheostomies and monitoring of their weaning as well as airway assessment. Long-term sequelae include olfactory disorders, upper airway damage, laryngeal damage and their functional consequences : dyspnea, dysphonia and dysphagia. ENT symptoms after SARS-CoV-2 infection have an impact on patients' morbidity and quality of life. We created an ENT Task Force at the CHUV to better organize medical management. This article summarizes the main points.

Le spécialiste ORL prend en charge les patients avec infection due au SARS-CoV-2, en aigu mais aussi dans le cadre des séquelles à long terme. La prise en charge aiguë comprend l'évaluation des patients avec intubation orotrachéale prolongée, la réalisation de trachéotomies et le suivi de leur sevrage ainsi qu'un bilan des voies aériennes. Les séquelles à long terme comprennent les troubles olfactifs et du goût, les lésions des voies aériennes supérieures, les atteintes laryngées et leurs conséquences fonctionnelles : dyspnée, dysphonie et dysphagie. Les symptômes ORL liés au SARS-CoV-2 ont un impact sur la morbidité et la qualité de vie des patients. Une Task Force ORL a été créée au sein du CHUV pour mieux coordonner la prise en charge. Cet article en résume les principaux axes.

[Anosmia and COVID-19]. / Anosmie et COVID-19.

Anosmia associated or not with dysgeusia seems to be a frequent symptom in cases of infection with SARS-CoV-2 responsible for COVID-19. It can be the initial symptom of the disease or remain isolated in pauci-symptomatic patients. Waiting for scientific confirmation and in the context of the current pandemic, it seems essential to consider any patient with a new anosmia as being infected with SARS-CoV-2 until proven otherwise. These patients should therefore isolate themselves and remain alert to the occurrence of other symptoms suggestive of the infection and/or be tested. Topical and systemic corticosteroids and nose washes are contraindicated. The natural course of anosmia seems to be favorable in most cases.

L'anosmie associée ou non à la dysgueusie semble être un symptôme fréquent en cas d'infection au SARS-CoV-2 responsable du COVID-19. Elle peut être le symptôme initial de la maladie ou rester isolée chez certains patients paucisymptomatiques. Dans l'attente de confirmations scientifiques et dans le contexte de pandémie actuelle, il semble primordial de considérer tout patient présentant une anosmie nouvelle comme étant infecté par le SARS-CoV-2 jusqu'à preuve du contraire. Ces patients devraient donc s'auto-isoler et rester attentifs à l'apparition des autres symptômes évocateurs de l'infection et/ou se faire tester. Les corticoïdes topiques et systémiques ainsi que les rinçages nasaux sont contre-indiqués. L'évolution naturelle de l'anosmie semble favorable dans la plupart des cas.

[ENT management of head and neck cutaneous melanoma]. / Prise en charge par l'ORL des mélanomes cutanés cervico-faciaux.

A quarter of cutaneous melanomas occur on the head and neck. Despite close collaboration between the dermatology, oncology, pathology, nuclear medicine and otorhinolaryngology departments, the survival of patients presenting with this type of melanomas remains inferior to that of other parts of the body. The morbidity of head and neck surgery significantly alters the quality of life. Therefore, specific multidisciplinary expertise is required. We present here the specificities of ENT management.

Un quart des mélanomes cutanés se présentent au niveau de la tête et du cou. Malgré une étroite collaboration entre les services de dermatologie, oncologie, pathologie, médecine nucléaire et oto-rhino-laryngologie (ORL), la survie des patients qui présentent ce type de mélanomes reste inférieure à celle des patients ayant un mélanome d'une autre partie du corps. La morbidité d'une chirurgie cervico-faciale modifie significativement la qualité de vie. Ainsi, une expertise spécifique multidisciplinaire est nécessaire. Nous présentons ici les spécificités de la prise en charge ORL des mélanomes cervico-faciaux.

Eosinophilic Esophagitis: Relationship of Subepithelial Eosinophilic Inflammation With Epithelial Histology, Endoscopy, Blood Eosinophils, and Symptoms.

OBJECTIVES: For technical reasons, the histologic characterization of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE)-specific alterations is almost exclusively based on those found in the esophageal epithelium, whereas little is known about subepithelial abnormalities. In this study, we aimed to systematically assess the nature of subepithelial histologic alterations, and analyze their relationship with epithelial histologic findings, endoscopic features, and symptoms. METHODS: Adult patients with established EoE diagnosis were prospectively included during a yearly follow-up visit. Patients underwent assessment of clinical, endoscopic, and histologic disease activity using EoE-specific scores. RESULTS: We included 200 EoE patients (mean age 43.5±15.7 years, 74% males) with a median peak count of 36 intraepithelial eosinophils/hpf (IQR 14-84). The following histologic features were identified in the subepithelial layer: eosinophilic infiltration (median peak count of 20 eosinophils/hpf (IQR 10-51)), eosinophil degranulation (43%), fibrosis (82%), and lymphoid follicles (56%). Peak intraepithelial eosinophil counts were higher, identical, and lower when compared to the subepithelial layer in 62.5%, 7%, and 30.5% of patients, respectively. Anti-eosinophilic treatment at inclusion did not influence the relation between subepithelial and epithelial peak eosinophil counts. Subepithelial histologic activity correlated with epithelial histologic activity (rho 0.331, P<0.001), endoscopic severity (rho 0.208, P=0.003), and symptom severity (rho 0.179, P=0.011). Forty percent (21/52) of patients with <15 intraepithelial eosinophils/hpf had subepithelial peak counts of ≥15/hpf. CONCLUSIONS: There is a significant but modest correlation between subepithelial histologic activity and epithelial histologic activity, endoscopic severity, and symptom severity. The long-term clinical impact of assessing subepithelial alterations in EoE needs to be further elucidated.

Temporary tracheal stenting using endovascular prosthesis in the management of severe refractory stenosis following slide tracheoplasty.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the role of endovascular stents in temporary tracheal stenting and endoscopic treatment strategy for patients with severe refractory tracheal stenosis following slide tracheoplasty. METHODS: Two patients had severe tracheal stenosis after slide tracheoplasty for long segment congenital tracheal stenosis. Both these patients were managed endoscopically and an endovascular prosthesis was used to temporarily stent the trachea. Short and long term results were evaluated clinically and with repeated endoscopies. RESULTS: The 2 patients had an excellent recovery immediately after the stent placement and continue to have an optimal, age-appropriate stable tracheal diameter after stent removal. CONCLUSION: Endovascular stents can be temporarily used to stent the trachea in the endoscopic treatment strategy to correct refractory severe tracheal stenosis following slide tracheoplasty.

Laser supraglottoplasty for laryngomalacia; a 14 year experience of a tertiary referral center.

To review the outcomes of laser supraglottoplasty performed in children with symptomatic laryngomalacia and determine the factors influencing them. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who underwent laser supraglottoplasty for symptomatic laryngomalacia at the Lausanne University Hospital from November 2001 to November 2014. We examined the patient's demography, symptoms, comorbidities, type of laryngomalacia, synchronous airway lesions, and final outcomes. Seventy-nine patients were included in this study; median age at the time of surgery was 12.7 months. 55.7 % of the cases had comorbidities, 22.8 % of the patients were premature and synchronous airway lesions were present in 32.9 % of the cases. The different morphological types of laryngomalacia (I-III) were seen in 26.6, 62 and 11.4 % of the patients, respectively. Overall, operation specific success rate of laser supraglottoplasty was 86.1 %. Failures in 11 (13.9 %) of the 79 cases required 15 revision procedures. Success rates for patients with associated comorbidities, synchronous airway lesions, neurological disorders and prematurity were 81.8, 76.9, 69.2 and 66.7 %, respectively. Patients with type III laryngomalacia had a limited success rate (66.7 %) as compared to patients with morphological types I and II (90.5 and 87.8 %, respectively). Laser supraglottoplasty is an effective and safe treatment for symptomatic laryngomalacia. Patients with prematurity, type III LM, synchronous airway lesions and associated comorbidities are predisposed to surgical failure.

Endoscopic epiglottopexy using Lichtenberger's needle carrier to avoid breakdown of repair.

Severe type III laryngomalacia LM is represented by a retroflexed epiglottis that touches the posterior pharyngeal wall and obstructs the laryngeal inlet. Endoscopic epiglottopexy is advised in such cases wherein pexy sutures are passed between the epiglottis and base of tongue. Using conventional needle carriers, it is difficult to pass such sutures that go deep enough into the tongue base. Such a pexy is prone to a break down. We describe a novel technique of placing these glossoepiglottic sutures using the Lichtenberger's needle carrier. We used this technique in three patients with excellent results and report no complications. We propose to use this technique in cases of epiglottic prolapse seen in severe LM and certain hypotonic conditions.

Oropharyngolaryngeal manifestations in severe toxic epidermal necrolysis: a single-center's retrospective case series.

BACKGROUND: Toxic epidermal necrolysis is a rare and life-threatening mucocutaneous disease. Although mucosal ear, nose, and throat (ENT) involvement is common, little is known about the characteristics, treatment modalities, and outcomes of these lesions. The aim of this study was to evaluate ENT mucosal lesions in severe toxic epidermal necrolysis patients and analyze their characteristics, treatment modalities, and outcomes, as well as proposing a management algorithm to prevent long-term debilitating sequalae of these lesions. METHODS: This is a retrospective review of toxic epidermal necrolysis cases treated at the tertiary burns unit of the Lausanne University Hospital CHUV, Switzerland, between 2006 and 2019. RESULTS: Out of 19 patients with severe toxic epidermal necrolysis, 17 (89%) underwent a complete ENT examination at admission and 14 (82%) had ENT mucosal involvement. Five (26.3%) patients died during the stay in the intensive care unit. Of the 16 patients who received maximal care, 13 (81%) required orotracheal intubation for a median time of 16 (IQR: 14) days. Out of the 14 patients who survived, four (29%) had long-term ENT complications consisting of synechiaes necessitating subsequent endoscopic procedures. Those four patients all required mechanical ventilation with an orotracheal tube and suffered from hypopharyngeal synechiaes as well as oral and endonasal synechiaes in individual cases. CONCLUSION: This study suggests a high prevalence of ENT synechiaes in patients with severe toxic epidermal necrolysis and requiring orotracheal intubation. Periodic ENT examination could prevent mature synechiae formation in these patients. We propose an algorithm to prevent long-term sequalae in ENT mucosal involvement.

Minimally Invasive Endoscopic Sinus Surgery for Frontal Sinus Pathologies Using Interventional Flexible Bronchoscopy: Case Reports.

Background: Lateral pathologies of the frontal sinus are difficult to visualize and treat with classical endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) using rigid endoscopes and instruments. Hence, they often require extended endoscopic or external approaches. Methods and Results: We describe the advantages of using interventional flexible bronchoscopy in frontal ESS without extended approaches in 2 illustrated cases: (1) A fungus ball in the frontal sinus with a frontoethmoidal cell. The flexible bronchoscope allowed treatment of all recesses of the frontal sinuses and the opening of a frontoethmoidal cell through a Draf IIa. (2) A revision surgery with a frontoethmoidal cell obstructing drainage pathway was successfully treated with this same technique. Patients did not experience complications or recurrent symptomatology after, respectively, 4 and 15 months of follow-up. Conclusion: Flexible bronchoscopy allows a good visualization and treatment of lateral frontal sinus pathologies through limited endoscopic approaches. Through-the-scope instruments permit the resection of frontoethmoidal cells.

Mucosal Melanoma of the Head and Neck: A Retrospective Review and Current Opinion.

Introduction: Head and Neck Mucosal Melanoma (HNMM) is an uncommon malignancy that arises in decreasing order in the nasal cavity, the paranasal sinuses, and the oral cavity. Although radical surgery followed by eventual radiotherapy is acknowledged as the mainstay treatment, patients with advanced stages or multi-focal tumors benefit from new systemic therapies. We wish to share our experience with these treatments and review the current literature. Materials and Methods: We present a case review of every patient treated in our center for an HNMM over the past 10 years, including every patient treated in our center for an HNMM over the past 10 years. We analyzed clinical characteristics, treatment modalities, and outcomes. Results: We included eight patients aged from 62 to 85 years old. We found six MM in the nasal cavity, one in the sphenoidal sinus, and one in the piriform sinus. Six patients underwent endoscopic surgery with negative margins, six underwent radiotherapy with variable modalities. Immunotherapy or targeted therapy was given in cases extensive tumors without the possibility of a surgical treatment or in two patient as an adjuvant treatment after R0 surgery. The three-year overall survival was 50%, and three patients (37.5%) are in remission. Conclusions: HNMM is associated with poor oncologic outcomes regarding the concerned patients of our review, as reported in the literature. New treatments such as immunotherapies or targeted therapies have not significantly changed the prognosis, but they may offer new interesting perspectives. Our small series of cases seems to confirm that surgical resection with negative margins improves overall survival.

Comparison of contemporary staging systems for oropharynx cancer in a surgically treated multi-institutional cohort.

BACKGROUND: Between the publication of the Union of International Cancer Control staging system (UICC) 7th and 8th editions, other staging algorithms for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) were proposed from Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG), MD Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC), and Yale University. METHODS: With C-statistics, the above-mentioned five staging algorithms were compared for overall and relapse-free survival endpoints in a multi-institutional cohort of OPSCC cases (n = 338) treated with primary surgery. RESULTS: Pathological UICC 8th ed yielded the highest C-indexes in the entire cohort and in the HPV- subset, whereas MDACC was superior for HPV+ OPSCC. RTOG was the simplest and holistic algorithm with a noninferior discriminatory power. CONCLUSION: UICC 8th ed, MDACC, and RTOG offer moderate and comparable efficacy for staging in this OPSCC patient cohort undergoing surgical treatment. Notable discrepancy between clinical and pathological UICC 8th ed algorithms poses potential concerns in diagnosis, treatment, research, and data management.

Extraluminal biodegradable splint to treat upper airway anterior malacia: A preclinical proof of principle.

OBJECTIVE: Upper airway malacia highly complicates the treatment of benign laryngotracheal stenosis, and no ideal option is available to date. We here explore the use of extraluminal biodegradable splints in an animal model of long-segment anterior tracheomalacia (TM). We show the efficacy, as well as the tissue tolerance, of a custom-made biodegradable extraluminal device surgically inserted around the trachea. STUDY DESIGN: Preclinical animal study. METHODS: Anterior TM was induced in rabbits through an anterior neck approach by removing eight consecutive anterior tracheal rings without damaging the underlying mucosa. Malacia was corrected during the same surgery by pexy sutures, suspending the tracheal mucosa to an experimental biodegradable device. Symptoms, survival, and tissue reaction were compared to healthy and sham surgery controls. RESULTS: The model induced death by respiratory failure within minutes. Ten animals received the experimental treatment, and those who survived the perioperative period remained asymptomatic with a maximum follow-up of 221 days. Histological studies at programmed euthanasia showed complete degradation of the prosthesis, with significant remnant fibrosis around the trachea. However, the tracheal stiffness of test segments was comparatively less than that of control segments. CONCLUSION: Extraluminal biodegradable splints rescued animals with a condition otherwise incompatible with life. It was well tolerated, leaving peritracheal fibrosis that was not as stiff as normal trachea. The external tracheal stiffening was sufficient for the test animals to live through the phase of severe acute hypercollapsibility. This represents a valid option to help pediatric patients with laryngotracheal stenosis and associated cartilaginous airway malacia. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA. Laryngoscope, 128:E53-E58, 2018.

Impact of human papillomavirus on outcome in patients with oropharyngeal cancer treated with primary surgery.

BACKGROUND: Knowledge about prognostic factors in surgically treated patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is limited. The purpose of this study was to identify influential factors on survival in a large cohort of patients with surgically treated oropharyngeal SCC. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of survival estimates in patients with surgically treated oropharyngeal SCC using tumoral positivity for human papillomavirus (HPV) and risk-of-death categories according to a study from 2010 as stratification factors. RESULTS: The 5-year overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) rates after surgery alone were higher in HPV-associated oropharyngeal SCC (OS 80% vs 62%; P = .01; DSS 92% vs 76%; P = .03). Patients in the low-risk category had higher survival rates (OS 91%; DSS 99%) than patients in the intermediate-risk group (OS 63%; DSS 83%), and high-risk group (OS 61%; DSS 75%). CONCLUSION: Nonsmokers with HPV-positive oropharyngeal SCC have a better prognosis than smokers with HPV-positive oropharyngeal SCC and also than patients with HPV-negative tumors when treated by surgery alone.

External bioresorbable airway rigidification to treat refractory localized tracheomalacia.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Our study evaluates the efficacy of extraluminal bioresorbable plates to treat refractory localized airway malacia in patients undergoing corrective surgery for complex multilevel laryngotracheal stenosis. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case series. METHODS: Secondary malacic airway segments were characterized (severity, site, type) by a dynamic transnasal flexible laryngotracheobronchoscopy before surgery. Extraluminal bioresorbable plates were used to stabilize the malacic segment through a transcervical approach under intraoperative flexible endoscopic guidance. Results were evaluated subjectively and by a postoperative dynamic endoscopy. We report our experience in seven patients (6 children, 1 adult). RESULTS: External tracheal stiffening allowed complete or partial resolution of refractory proximal airway malacia in six of seven complex cases described (result in one case is awaited). It allowed quick decannulation in four of seven patients who experienced multiple previous failures. Decannulation failures were due to recurrence of stenosis. With up to 2 years of follow-up, we report no direct complications related to the presence of extraluminal bioresorbable plates around the airway. CONCLUSION: Extraluminal biodegradable tracheal stiffening represents a valid therapeutic option in select cases of upper airway malacia. It can be highly useful in cases of complex multilevel airway obstructions. External stiffening needs to be planned on a case-to-case basis according to the type of malacia and must be performed under endoscopic guidance. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4. Laryngoscope, 126:2605-2610, 2016.