title: KTP laser treatment of suprastomal obstruction prior to decannulation in paediatric tracheostomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Decannulation following tracheostomy in the paediatric patient is often complicated by the development of secondary suprastomal obstruction. We describe the technique of bronchoscopic KTP laser therapy in the management of such conditions, and have audited the results of this treatment with 12 children treated with this modality before attempted decannulation over the last 2 years at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children (GOSH).
  
  
  METHODS
  Via a retrospective record review.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eight (67%) were successfully decannulated, with four being unsuccessful. All children with less than 50% suprastomal obstruction were successfully decannulated following bronchoscopic KTP laser treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Bronchoscopic KTP laser therapy is a useful tool in the abolition of suprastomal obstruction prior to decannulation following paediatric tracheostomy. Children with greater than 50% obstruction are likely to require an open procedure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Otolaryngology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London WC1N 3JH, UK. hrsharp@fsmail.net
authors.forename: H R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Sharp
authors.forename: B E J
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Hartley
mesh_terms: D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D001999:Bronchoscopy / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006097:Granulation Tissue / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D054047:Surgical Stomas / Q000473:pathology; D014139:Tracheostomy / Q000379:methods*