Thyrotracheal anastomosis in children: 1989-1996.
OBJECTIVE
Surgical thyrotracheal anastomosis has been performed in adults for many years with few complications. However, this procedure has not been performed in children due to lack of knowledge about the effects on laryngeal growth after the operation. After long-term research and follow-up, Ranne (1991) and Monnier (1993) reported normal laryngotracheal growth in their paediatric patients. Their rates of decannulation after single open procedures were very high. This study was conducted to study the effects of thyrotracheal anastomosis on laryngotracheal growth.


METHODS
Three patients aged 9, 6, and 6 years underwent this operation in March, May, and June 1989 because a lumen of the subglottic stenosis could not be found. Another patient aged 9 years had this operation performed in July 1996.


RESULTS
There were no immediate complications, and the patients were decannulated shortly after the operation. We were able to follow up on the third patient in August 1995. The study revealed normal laryngeal growth in the four patients.


CONCLUSIONS
This finding supports the previous reports regarding laryngeal growth. We had 100% success in four children. Together with Ranne (1991), Monnier (1993, 1995), and Molter (1995), these results represent a success rate of 97% (40/41 cases) in relieving the subglottic stenosis after a single open procedure.
Kanchanarak
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Department of Otolaryngology, Chiang Mai University, Faculty of Medicine, Thailand.
Waisayanand
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D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007829:Laryngostenosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013957:Thyroid Cartilage / Q000601:surgery*; D014132:Trachea / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome