Partial cricotracheal resection in children weighing less than 10 kilograms.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the long-term outcome, safety, and efficacy of partial cricotracheal resection (PCTR) for subglottic stenosis in a group of children and infants weighing less than 10 kg at the time of the surgery.


METHODS
Historical cohort study.


METHODS
Academic tertiary medical center.


METHODS
Thirty-six children weighing less than 10 kg at the time of the surgery were compared to a group of 65 children who weighed more than 10 kg. The Kaplan Meier method and Cox regression were carried out to detect differences in decannulation time and rates and to examine the influence of various parameters (i.e., comorbidities, type of surgery, and complications requiring revision surgery) at the time of decannulation. Evaluation of the long-term outcome was based on questionnaires assessing breathing, voice, and swallowing.


RESULTS
Decannulation rate was 92 percent (33/36) for the group of children weighing less than 10 kg. No significant differences were found between the two body weight groups with respect to the aforementioned covariates. The median follow-up period was nine years (range, 1-23 yrs). Questionnaire responses revealed completely normal breathing and swallowing in 72 percent and 90 percent of the children, respectively. Seventy-one percent of the patients considered their voice to be rough or weak.


CONCLUSIONS
PCTR in infants and children weighing less than 10 kg is a safe and efficient technique with similar long-term results when compared to results seen in older and heavier children.
Ikonomidis
Christos
C
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland. Christos.Ikonomidis@chuv.ch
George
Mercy
M
Jaquet
Yves
Y
Monnier
Philippe
P
D000293:Adolescent; D001835:Body Weight; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003413:Cricoid Cartilage / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007829:Laryngostenosis / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014132:Trachea / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome