[Classification of cicatricial tracheal stenosis]. / O klassifikatsii rubtsovogo stenoza trakhei.

Currently, a single classification of cicatricial tracheal stenosis is absent in national and world surgical practice. This issue is actual considering anatomical variability of tracheal structure in people with different constitutional features and previous complications. The proposed classification ensures individualized approach in surgical treatment of patients with cicatricial tracheal stenosis considering anatomical features in a particular patient.

Implementation of the European Laryngological Society classification for pediatric benign laryngotracheal stenosis: a multicentric study.

PURPOSE: The European Laryngological Society (ELS) has published a revised classification for benign laryngotracheal stenosis (LTS), based on their degree, longitudinal extension, and associated comorbidities. We retrospectively applied this classification to pediatric patients treated in four referral centers to assess its reliability in predicting surgical outcomes. METHODS: We included 191 pediatric LTS patients treated by segmental resection, restaged according to the degree of stenosis (I-IV according to Myer-Cotton grading system), number of subsites involved ("a" to "d" for 1-4 subsites among supraglottis, glottis, subglottis and trachea), and presence of systemic comorbidity ("+" sign). We analyzed the ability of this scoring system in predicting the rates of decannulation and complications, as well as the number of re-treatments. RESULTS: The mean decannulation rate was 88%; a higher rate was observed in patients without comorbidities (95.7% vs. 78.1%, p < 0.001), with two or fewer vs. three or four subsites involved (89% vs. 72%, p < 0.01), and in those with an ELS score of IIIa+ or less vs. patients with IIIb or more (96% vs. 82%, p < 0.001). Surgical complications were not dependent on the degree of stenosis, but rather on the number of affected subsites (p < 0.05), as well as on the presence of associated comorbidities (RR 7.5, p < 0.01). The number of re-treatments was dependent on length of resection (p < 0.05), stage according to the revised ELS classification (p < 0.001), and presence of surgical complications (RR 17, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The revised ELS classification system is easy to apply in everyday practice and offers a sound contribution in the decision-making process.

Preoperative assessment and classification of benign laryngotracheal stenosis: a consensus paper of the European Laryngological Society.

Adult and pediatric laryngotracheal stenoses (LTS) comprise a wide array of various conditions that require precise preoperative assessment and classification to improve comparison of different therapeutic modalities in a matched series of patients. This consensus paper of the European Laryngological Society proposes a five-step endoscopic airway assessment and a standardized reporting system to better differentiate fresh, incipient from mature, cicatricial LTSs, simple one-level from complex multilevel LTSs and finally "healthy" from "severely morbid" patients. The proposed scoring system, which integrates all of these parameters, may be used to help define different groups of LTS patients, choose the best treatment modality for each individual patient and assess distinct post-treatment outcomes accordingly.

Tracheal Resection With Primary Anastomosis.

The aim of our study was to present our retrospective experience in the single-stage surgical reconstruction of 21 tracheal stenosis (TS) patients during the last 17 years, considering the characteristics of the treated stenosis, surgical procedures performed, and postoperative outcomes and complications. All demographic and clinical data were collected retrospectively. Chest and neck computed tomography (CT) scans were performed to assess the stenosis, including length, location, and glottic involvement. The stenotic area was evaluated endoscopically according to an adapted Myer and Cotton grading scale. The aetiology of the (TS) was intubation related in 18 patients and idiopathic in three patients. The duration of intubation was 13.00 ±â€Š6.83 days (range, 1 hour to 27 days). According to the Myers-Cotton classification, mean stage of stenosis for the study group was 3.33 ±â€Š0.66 (range, 2-4). Mean length of the stenosis was 2.05 ±â€Š0.80 (range, 1-3.5) cm. The mean number of stenotic segment involved was 3.67 ±â€Š1.24 (range, 2-6). Mean follow-up for the study group, excluding two patients who died in the postoperative period, was 57 (range, 12-326) months. Of the 19 patients who survived, postoperative decannulation was achieved in 16 patients (76.19%), and decannulation was not achieved in 3 patients (14.29%) who are still on a T-tube. Of the 16 patients who are decannulated successfully, additional procedures were applied in 9 patients. Segmental resection with primary anastomosis is an effective method and can be used as the first option in selected patients of (TS).

Multicentric study applying the european laryngological society classification of benign laryngotracheal stenosis in adults treated by tracheal or cricotracheal resection and anastomosis.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Introduction and widespread use of cricotracheal resection and anastomosis (CTRA) as routine treatment for high-grade benign laryngotracheal stenosis (LTS) led to the need for a new classification system that could accurately predict surgical outcomes by integrating crucial stenosis and patient-related information. In 2015, the European Laryngological Society (ELS) proposed a new classification for benign LTS. We retrospectively tested it in adults treated at three referral centers to assess its reliability in predicting surgical outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. METHODS: We included 166 adults treated by open tracheal resection and anastomosis (TRA) and CTRA procedures, restaged according to the ELS classification evaluating grade of stenosis (I-IV, Myer-Cotton), number of subsites involved, and presence of systemic comorbidities. We correlated these parameters with decannulation, number of retreatments, and complications. RESULTS: Final decannulation was predicted by a proposed ELS score ≥ IIIb, history of previous treatment, and length of resection (P < .05). Decannulation was achieved in 99% of patients without and in 88% of patients with surgical complications (P < .01). The incidence of surgical complications was related to the proposed ELS score (P < .01); an ELS score < IIIb showed a lower complication rate compared to patients with a ≥ IIIb score (32.8% vs. 57.7%, P < .01). Additional treatment was required in 73 (44%) patients (mean = 2.7 ± 2.2, range = 1-11). ELS score ≥ IIIb, length of resection, and occurrence of surgical complications predicted the number of such treatments (P < .05, P < .05, and P < .001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: ELS classification of benign LTS is able to accurately predict success in adult TRA/CTRA procedures and may be helpful in choice of therapy and patient counseling. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2b Laryngoscope, 130:1640-1645, 2020.

[The systems of classification of laryngo-tracheal stenosis]. / Systemy klasyfikacji zwezen krtaniowo-tchawiczych.

Laryngo-tracheal stenosis (LTS) is a relatively rare disease, which develops in very heterogenous group of patients. Careful diagnostics and classification are essential for planning the following treatment and assessing its results. To classify and treat LTS, endoscopic and imaging techniques are required. In this publication basing on the literature review different systems of LTS classifications are described in details. Additionally basing on our clinical experience the probe of choosing the best classification for Polish ENT and thoracosurgery departments was undertaken. In our opinion the use of complex grading systems is unreal in everyday work by Polish ENT surgeons and thoracosurgeons. We suggest to implement the Cotton's system and Medical Research Council dyspnea scale as the optimal way to classify and asses the outcomes of LTS treatment. The former system is well known and widely advocated in Poland, the latter requires a modicum of time from the physician. Both scales, as a combination of subjective and objective parameters show a strong correlation and therefore complement each other.

[Laryngotracheal resection and reconstruction for the treatment of acquired laryngotracheal stenosis].

Objective: To analyze the efficacy of laryngotracheal resection and reconstruction for acquired laryngotracheal stenosis, and to discuss the prevention of complication. Methods: The clinical outcomes of seventy patients with acquired laryngotracheal stenosis, treated with laryngotracheal resection and reconstruction were retrospectively reviewed between January 2007 and December 2016. The degree of stenosis was classified according to Myer-Cotton classification as follows: grade Ⅱ(n=7), grade Ⅲ(n=38) and grade Ⅳ(n=27). The stenostic extension ranged from 0.5-4.0 cm (median 2.0 cm), the resection extension ranged from 1.0-5.0 cm (median 3.0 cm). Fifty-three stenosis originated from iatrogenic (endotracheal tubes and/or tracheostomy), 17 originated from cervical trauma. Results: Thirty patients were treated by the resection of tracheal and primary anastomosis. Twenty-nine patients were treated by resection and reconstruction and supported by T-tube. Eleven patients with subglottic stenosis were treated by complete resection of tracheal lesion and the arch of cricoid cartilage, together with trachea and thyroid cartilage anastomosis with tracheotomy. Six months after surgery, the outcome was good to satisfactory in 65 patients (92.9%). Five patients failed(3 were tracheotomized and 2 were supported by T-tube). Complications included granulation tissue formation(n=15), anastomoticseparation(n=9), restenosis of anastomosis(n=9), wound infection(n=5) and subcutaneous emphysema(n=7). In 15 patients with granulation tissue, 10 patients needed endoscopic resection, and 5 patients resulted in anastomotic stenosis. No injury to recurrent laryngeal nerve was found. Three patients with trachoesophageal fistula were repaired. Conclusion: Laryngotracheal resection and reconstruction is an effective surgical method for acquired laryngotracheal stenosis, which has a higher successful rate and shorter therapeutic period.

Caracterización de estenosis traqueal por intubación prolongada en pacientes adultos / Characterization of tracheal stenosis by prolonged Intubation in adult patients

La estenosis traqueal es la disminución del calibre de la luz laríngea y traqueal como resultado de la maduración de tejido cicatrizal por lesión isquémica que el balón del tubo endotraqueal produce sobre las mucosas de la pared laringo traqueal cuando es insuflada por encima de la presión capilar (20-30 mm Hg) por un periodo incluso corto. La Asociación Americana de Cuidados Respiratorios recomienda que se utilice intubación para aquellos pacientes que ameriten ventilación mecánica por 7-10 días o menos y traqueostomía para aquellos pacientes que necesitan ventilación por más tiempo. Objetivo: Caracterizar la estenosis traqueal por intubación prolongada. Metodología: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo que incluyó pacientes adultos con diagnóstico de estenosis traqueal por intubación mayor de 7 días en el Hospital General San Juan de Dios durante enero 2016 a diciembre 2019. Se evaluaron los datos epidemiológicos, clínicos, diagnóstico y terapéuticos en los registros clínicos de los servicios de cirugía torácica, otorrinolaringología y neumología. Resultados: Se evaluaron 52 pacientes adultos con intubación traqueal prolongada que desarrollaron estenosis traqueal. La mayoría son hombres jóvenes con mediana de intubación de dos semanas, la indicación de intubación más frecuente fue por trauma craneoencefálico severo. La forma de diagnóstico más frecuente fue clínico seguido por radiografía y tomografía teniendo en su mayoría estenosis tipo I y II. La mayoría de los pacientes con estenosis traqueal son tratados de manera quirúrgica, comúnmente con traqueostomía, dos semanas después del primer día de intubación. La única variable asociada al tipo de tratamiento fue que se le realizara al paciente una traqueotomía, la cual fue la forma de tratamiento quirúrgico de la mayoría de los pacientes para la corrección de la estrechez traqueal (p=0.01). Conclusiones: el tiempo de intubación endotraqueal es determinante para el desarrollo de la estenosis traqueal. En este estudio se documentaron 52 pacientes que recibieron intubación traqueal prolongada y desarrollaron estenosis traqueal tras una mediana de intubación de dos semanas, lo cual deberá hacernos reflexionar sobre las prácticas y guías para implementar la realización de traqueostomías tempranas en pacientes ventilados después de 7 días (AU)

Tracheal stenosis is the decrease in the caliber of the laryngeal and tracheal lumen as a result of the maturation of scar tissue due to ischemic injury that the balloon of the endotracheal tube produces on the mucosa of the laryngo-tracheal wall when it is insufflated above capillary pressure (20-30 mm Hg) for an even short period. The American Association for Respiratory Care recommends that intubation be used for those patients who require mechanical ventilation for 7-10 days or less and tracheostomy for those patients who require ventilation for longer. Objective: To characterize tracheal stenosis due to prolonged intubation. Methodology: A descriptive, retrospective study was carried out that included adult patients with a diagnosis of tracheal stenosis due to intubation greater than 7 days at the San Juan de Dios General Hospital from january 2016 to december 2019. Epidemiological, clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic data were evaluated in the clinical records of the thoracic surgery, otorhinolaryngology and pulmonology services. Results: 52 adult patients with prolonged tracheal intubation who developed tracheal stenosis were evaluated. Most are young men with a median intubation of two weeks, the most frequent indication for intubation was for severe head trauma. The most frequent form of diagnosis was clinical followed by radiography and tomography, mostly type I and II stenosis. Most patients with tracheal stenosis are treated surgically, commonly with a tracheostomy, two weeks after the first day of intubation. The only variable associated with the type of treatment was that the patient underwent a tracheostomy, which was the form of surgical treatment for most patients to correct the tracheal narrowing (p = 0.01). Conclusions: endotracheal intubation time is decisive for the development of tracheal stenosis. In this study, 52 patients who received prolonged tracheal intubation and developed tracheal stenosis after a median intubation of two weeks were documented, which should make us reflect on the practices and guidelines for implementing early tracheostomies in patients ventilated after 7 days

[To tracheal stenosis].

The paper describes possible causes of stenoses of the trachea and main bronchi; these are congenital, concurrent rare systemic diseases, such as amyloid disease, osteoplastic tracheopathy, and idiopathic stenoses. However, particular emphasis is laid on stenotic processes resulting from mechanical injury to the trachea, including those in blunt and open injury to the chest and, chiefly iatrogenic damages as fatal complications in anesthesiological and resuscitative practice. The causes and mechanisms of development of iatrogenic stenoses caused by both ischemic lesion of the tracheal wall and direct trauma of the trachea and main bronchi with individual elements of one- or two-channel intubation tubes, their guides, or endoscopes are analyzed. The present-day classification of scarring stenoses and guidelines for intensive care and prevention of damages to the tracheobronchial tree and further development of severe stenotic processes are presented.

Management of benign dynamic "A-shape" tracheal stenosis: a retrospective study of 60 patients.

BACKGROUND: Benign tracheal stenosis complicates tracheal intubation or tracheostomy in 0.6% to 65% of cases. Surgical resection is the standard treatment. Endoscopic management is used for inoperable patients with 17% to 69% success. Dynamic "A-shape" tracheal stenosis (DATS) results in a dynamic stenosis with anterior fracture of tracheal cartilage and frequently associated posterior malacia. We report the results of our multidisciplinary management. METHODS: Sixty patients with DATS were included. Management decision was made during initial bronchoscopy. When suitable, patients were referred to thoracic surgery for tracheal resection. Posterior localized tracheomalacia was treated with laser photocoagulation of the posterior tracheal wall. Tracheal stents were placed if the stenosis persisted after laser treatment. The choice of stent (straight silicone, hour-glass shaped silicone, T-tube, or fully-covered self-expandable metallic stent) was based on operator's judgment. After 12 to 18 months, stents were removed. If the stenosis persisted after stent removal, surgery was reconsidered. If surgery was not possible, a stent was replaced. In case of satisfactory result, a stent was replaced only after recurrence. Stable patients after treatment were considered as success, requirement of long-term tracheostomy or T tube as failure, and long-term stent as partial success. RESULTS: All patients developed DATS after tracheostomy. Thirty-three patients had posterior tracheomalacia. In 13 patients, mild stenosis required only endoscopic surveillance. Two patients were referred to thoracic surgery for tracheal resection surgery. Endoscopic management was the initial therapy in 45 patients (75%) and was considered successful in 23 patients (51%), partially successful in 10 (22%), and failed in 12 (27%). Five patients with successful outcomes required only laser therapy. Overall 70 stents were placed in 35 patients, with a migration rate of 31%. CONCLUSIONS: The DATS management was successful in 63%. Stent migration was frequent. Posterior tracheomalacia was successfully treated in selected cases, avoiding stent placement.

The role of silicone stents in the treatment of cicatricial tracheal stenoses.

OBJECTIVE: Tracheal stenting for cicatricial stenoses is reserved for patients whose lesions are deemed inoperable for local or general reasons. The aim of our study was to verify the long-term results of silicone tracheal stents in such a clinical setting. METHODS: Clinical data of 45 patients treated by tracheal silicone stents, between 1987 and 1999, were reviewed. All patients had highly symptomatic cicatricial stenoses; they were selected for stenting rather than for surgery because of local and general conditions. This series has been divided in two groups according to the purpose of stenting: bridge to surgery or definitive treatment. Follow-up ranged between 12 and 83 months. Twenty-seven patients received a Montgomery T tube (Hood Laboratories, Pembroke, Mass), 16 a Dumon stent (Novatech, Plan de Gras, France), and 2 a Dynamic stent (Rusch, Kernen, Germany). RESULTS: No procedure-related mortality was observed. Nine patients underwent curative resection and reconstruction after a variable stenting period; one had a recurrent stenosis and was treated for palliation with a T tube. Tracheal stenting was performed for palliation as a definitive treatment in 37 patients. Among this group, 11 patients died of unrelated causes at a median of 10 months after the endoscopic treatment. The stent was permanently removed in 10 after a median interval of 32 months (range 9-70 months); in 4 others, symptomatic recurrence of the stenosis was observed within 6 weeks of stent removal. None of the patients successfully decannulated had a completely normal tracheal lumen but all remained asymptomatic because the residual stenosis was mild or well tolerated for concomitant limitation of physical activity. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term treatment with a silicone stent was safe and well tolerated in cicatricial tracheal stenoses. This procedure can be considered as a bridge to curative surgery or as a definitive treatment. The latter, generally performed for palliation, may provide satisfactory therapeutic results in selected patients, even in the presence of severe circumferential stenoses.

Healing of a free tracheal autograft is enhanced by topical vascular endothelial growth factor in an experimental rabbit model.

OBJECTIVE: In 1996, we introduced the free tracheal autograft technique for repair of congenital tracheal stenosis from complete tracheal rings in infants and children. Sources of possible concern with this procedure include the potential for autograft ischemia, patch dehiscence, and recurrent stenosis. Vascular endothelial growth factor is a potent angiogenic inducer (particularly in the setting of ischemia, hypoxia, or both) and is postulated to promote tissue healing. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that pretreatment of tracheal autografts with topical vascular endothelial growth factor would enhance tracheal healing. METHODS: In a rabbit model of tracheal reconstruction (n = 32), an elliptically shaped portion of the anterior tracheal wall was excised. The excised portion of trachea was one third of the tracheal circumference and 2 cm in length (6 tracheal rings). This portion of trachea (the autograft) was soaked in either vascular endothelial growth factor (5 microg/mL, n = 16) or normal saline solution (n = 16) for 15 minutes before being reimplanted in the resultant tracheal opening. Animals were killed and autografts were examined at 2 weeks, 1 month, and 2 months postoperatively for gross and microscopic characteristics. RESULTS: By 2 weeks, and progressing through 1 and 2 months, autografts treated with vascular endothelial growth factor, as compared with control autografts, had reduced luminal stenosis, submucosal fibrosis, and inflammatory infiltrate (P <.05). The autografts tended to become malaligned in control animals, whereas the tracheal architecture was preserved in rabbits treated with vascular endothelial growth factor. Microvascular vessel density was significantly greater in all vascular endothelial growth factor groups (P <.05) at all time intervals. CONCLUSIONS: Topical treatment of free tracheal autografts with vascular endothelial growth factor in a rabbit tracheal reconstruction model enhanced healing, as evidenced by accelerated autograft revascularization, reduced submucosal fibrosis and inflammation, and preservation of the normal tracheal architecture. Topical vascular endothelial growth factor may improve future results of tracheal reconstruction.

Subglottic tracheal stenosis.

In dealing with subglottic stenosis in small children, meticulous and gentle techniques will yield the best results. It is easier to prevent than to treat subglottic stenosis. The use of endotracheal tubes of proper size (Fig 10) and meticulous management of the tube combined with careful extubation techniques may prevent progression of injury. If stenosis does develop, the lesions should be carefully assessed and described. Care must be taken in diagnostic procedures so that a rigid scope is not forced through an area of narrowing, thereby producing further injury. The old technique of rigid dilators may produce a shearing injury to the tracheal mucosa that is manifested by blood on the dilators. Intralesional injection of steroids also may be more injurious than helpful. The use of balloons with radial dilation has been more satisfactory. When granulation tissue is extensive, removal can be accomplished either with cup biopsy forceps or with the KTP laser. Minimizing iatrogenic injury by using the lowest possible wattage produces better results. When tracheoplasty is necessary, careful attention to technical details is essential. These details are described under the section on cartilage tracheoplasty. With difficult stenotic lesions, many techniques have been proposed, indicating that no one technique is universally successful. Thus, it is important to make careful assessment and description of the lesion along with an individualized approach following generally accepted guidelines.

Classification of laryngotracheal stenosis.

Seventy-two cases of laryngotracheal stenosis treated from 1981 through 1991 were reviewed to develop a system of classification which would be useful in predicting the outcome of treatment. Decannulation and absence of dyspnea after exertion were the criteria of successful management. The probability of decannulation over time was computed using the Kaplan-Meier technique. Cox multiple regression analysis was used to determine the effects of independent variables (age, sex, etiology, site of stenosis, length of stenosis, diameter of stenosis, and surgical technique) on treatment success. The only factors with a significant effect on the outcome were site of stenosis and diameter of stenosis. A classification into four clinical stages of stenosis based on site of lesion was shown to effectively predict the likelihood of successful decannulation.

Tracheoplasty for congenital complete tracheal rings.

OBJECTIVE: To better appreciate the complex nature of the pediatric patient with tracheal stenosis due to congenital complete tracheal rings, we evaluated clinical presentation, methods of evaluation, necessity for surgical repair, associated anomalies, and outcome. DESIGN: Retrospective study. PATIENTS: Eighteen patients with long-segment tracheal stenosis due to congenital complete tracheal rings were evaluated at Cincinnati (Ohio) Children's Hospital Medical Center between 1985 and 1991. Three patients did not require surgical intervention. Fifteen patients underwent tracheoplasty with cardiopulmonary bypass through a midline sternotomy. RESULTS: The patients with congenital complete tracheal rings usually present with respiratory compromise in the first year of life. In the majority of patients, a diagnosis was made based on the symptoms and findings of an endoscopic examination with the aid of plain film roentgenography. In selected patients, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging was used. We evaluated symptoms, length of stenosis, type of repair, duration of intubation, and complications, as well as the mortality associated with this procedure. CONCLUSIONS: The technique of tracheoplasty has evolved at our institution, including the use of a posterior tracheal division, anterior castellated division, autologous pericardial patch grafting, and cricoid split with intubation for 7 to 21 days. We found the mortality associated with this procedure quite high at 47%, compared with previously published reports with mortality figures between zero and 77%.

Management of laryngotracheal stenosis on the basis of site and severity.

Seventy-five cases of laryngotracheal stenosis treated between 1981 and 1991 were reviewed to determine the effectiveness of surgical treatment on the basis of site and severity of stenosis. Decannulation and absence of exertional dyspnea were the criteria of successful management. The treatment methods used were endoscopic laser incision and dilatation, expansion laryngotracheoplasty, and segmental resection. Endoscopic procedures were effective in treating thin (< 1 cm) stenoses in the subglottis and trachea. Laryngotracheoplasty was most effective in treating thick stenoses of the glottis and subglottis. Tracheal stenoses were most effectively treated by segmental resections. The probability for decannulation decreased with longer narrower stenoses and with increasing clinical stage.

Laryngotracheal reconstruction for subglottic stenosis.

Laryngotracheal reconstruction (LTR) has been employed for the treatment of severe laryngotracheal stenosis for the past 6 years at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Thirty-one children underwent LTR with costal cartilage grafting, 24 of whom had Aboulker stents placed. Short stents were used in 22 patients. Six patients received definitive treatment in a single-stage LTR; 1 child had no stent placed. Twenty-six (84%) of the 31 patients were decannulated. It was concluded that decannulation can be obtained in selected patients with the short Aboulker stent or single-stage LTR. A new classification system for laryngotracheal stenosis, based on objective measurements and the separate analysis of posterior glottic fibrosis, was developed. The proposed classification system allows recommendations for treatment. Moreover, it can be easily reproduced and may facilitate comparison of results.

Surgery for pediatric subglottic stenosis: disease-specific outcomes.

To set the foundation to develop a disease-based, operation-specific model to predict the outcome of pediatric airway reconstruction surgery, we performed a retrospective database review of children operated on at a single, tertiary-care children's hospital. Over the 12-year period 1988 to 2000, a total of 1,296 airway reconstruction procedures were performed. Out of these, charts were identified for 199 children who underwent laryngotracheal reconstruction for a sole diagnosis of subglottic stenosis. Children were excluded from the study if their disorder included supraglottic, glottic, or upper tracheal disease. The main outcome measures were Myer-Cotton grade-specific decannulation and extubation rates, including both operation-specific and overall results. There were 101 children who underwent double-stage laryngotracheal reconstruction. The operation-specific decannulation rates for Myer-Cotton grades 2, 3, and 4 were 85% (18/21), 37% (23/61), and 50% (7/14) (chi2 analysis, p = .0007). The overall decannulation rates were 95% (20/21), 74% (45/61), and 86% (12/14) (chi2 analysis, p = .04). There were 98 children who underwent single-stage laryngotracheal reconstruction. The operation-specific extubation rates for Myer-Cotton grades 2, 3, and 4 were 82% (37/45), 79% (34/43), and 67% (2/3) (chi2 analysis, p = .63). The overall extubation rates were 100% (45/45), 86% (37/43), and 100% (3/3) (chi2 analysis, p = .03). Logistic regression analysis showed no effect of age (less than or greater than 2 years of age) on operation-specific or overall outcome parameters. We conclude that laryngotracheal reconstruction for pediatric subglottic stenosis remains a challenging set of procedures in which multiple operations may be required to achieve eventual extubation or decannulation. Children with Myer-Cotton grade 3 or 4 disease continue to represent a significant challenge, and refinements of techniques are being examined to address this subset of children. Disease-based, operation-specific outcome statistics are the first step in the development of a meaningful predictive model.

Oral-facial-digital syndrome II. Transitional type between Mohr and Majewski syndrome: report of a new case with congenital stenosis of the trachea.

We present a female patient with laryngeal anomalies, tracheostenosis and pre- and postaxial polydactyly. Bilateral duplication of the hallux, polydactyly of hands, growth retardation and conductive hearing defect are consistent with oral-facial-digital (OFD) type II syndrome. Three similar cases of OFD syndrome with hypoplasia of the larynx, epiglottis and/or trachea without tibial dysplasia have been previously reported by Silengo and Temtamy and McKusick. The present patient adds one more case to this group of variants of OFD syndrome. We believe that those cases may be considered to form a separate subentity of OFD syndromes although overlapping features within the different subtypes make a precise classification very difficult.

Reinforcement of an end-to-end tracheal resection anastomosis with fibrin glue: a case report.

Tracheal resection and primary anastomosis is the treatment of choice for a short-segment stenosis. However, the procedure does carry the risk of two potentially fatal complications: anastomosis breakdown and leak. We describe the case of a 67-year-old man who was treated for a 3-cm tracheal stenosis secondary to a prolonged intubation and multiple tracheostomies. The patient underwent a tracheal resection and primary anastomosis. The anastomosis was reinforced with fibrin sealant, which created an airtight seal. The patient was extubated postoperatively, and he healed without complication. Fibrin sealant is a convenient, safe, and effective material for reinforcing anastomotic suture lines.