title: Irradiated homograft cartilage in laryngotracheal reconstruction--a preliminary experience.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the suitability of irradiated homograft cartilage in pediatric laryngotracheal reconstruction (LTR).
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective case series at a tertiary care children's hospital. Pediatric patients with subglottic stenosis who had LTRs performed using irradiated homograft costal cartilage. Data was collected on postoperative complications, findings at subsequent endoscopic examinations and final outcome.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Minor degrees of graft resorption were observed that did not affect eventual decannulation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Irradiated homograft costal cartilage can serve as a successful alternative to the traditional autologous costal cartilage in lower grades of laryngotracheal stenosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-H & N Surgery, The University of Texas-Houston Health Science Center, UTPB 1200, 6410 Fannin, Houston, TX 77030, United States.
authors.forename: Stacey L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Kevin D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Pereira
mesh_terms: D002356:Cartilage / Q000528:radiation effects* / Q000637:transplantation*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D007829:Laryngostenosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors; D014135:Tracheal Stenosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D014139:Tracheostomy