Cricotracheal resection in children.
OBJECTIVE
To review our experience with cricotracheal resection in a pediatric population.


METHODS
Prospective case review of a cohort of patients undergoing cricotracheal resection.


METHODS
Tertiary care pediatric hospital.


METHODS
Forty-four consecutive patients undergoing cricotracheal resection between January 1, 1993, and December 31, 1998.


METHODS
Decannulation rates.


RESULTS
Thirty-eight (86%) of the 44 children are decannulated. The ultimate decannulation rate was independent of the presenting grade of subglottic stenosis. Fourteen children (100%) had a primary cricotracheal resection; all are decannulated. Twenty-one children had a salvage cricotracheal resection, and 19 (90%) are decannulated. Nine children had an extended cricotracheal resection, of whom 5 (56%) are decannulated. A primary cricotracheal resection was performed on a child on whom no previous open airway procedure had been performed. A salvage cricotracheal resection was performed on a child on whom previous open airway reconstruction had not resulted in an adequate airway. An extended cricotracheal resection was performed on a child on whom the cricotracheal resection was combined with a second procedure, either additional expansion cartilage grafting or an open arytenoid procedure. Most of these children had complex airway pathologic conditions.


CONCLUSIONS
Cricotracheal resection complements standard laryngotracheal reconstruction techniques in a pediatric population.
Rutter
M J
MJ
Department of Otolaryngology, Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039, USA. ruttm0@chmcc.org
Hartley
B E
BE
Cotton
R T
RT
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003413:Cricoid Cartilage / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015607:Stents; D014132:Trachea / Q000601:surgery*; D014135:Tracheal Stenosis / Q000601:surgery*