Endoscopic balloon dilatation of subglottic stenosis.
Children with subglottic stenosis present a challenging problem to otolaryngologists. In many cases, a tracheostomy is necessary to safeguard the airway, but morbidity and mortality in the tracheostomized child may be significant. Therefore attempts to improve the airway by endoscopic means are often made; unfortunately, these have a variable success rate. Recent encouraging results in the use of balloon dilatation for subglottic stenosis led us to the successful use of this technique in a child whose stenosis had not responded to conventional endoscopic techniques. The reasons for the success are discussed.
D002404:Catheterization / Q000379:methods; D005931:Glottis; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007829:Laryngostenosis / Q000628:therapy*; D012135:Respiratory Sounds / Q000209:etiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome