title: Laser division of congenital complete tracheal rings.
abstract: Congenital complete tracheal rings are a rare and life threatening problem in young children and they are often challenging to manage. Whilst historically associated with high mortality rates increasing experience with this tracheal pathology has led to much improved survival rates and slide tracheoplasty has become the treatment of choice. We present 3 cases in which an open procedure was not deemed possible and they underwent laser division (CO2, KTP) of their complete rings. Two patients subsequently required stent insertion. All patients are alive and well at a mean follow up of 3 years and 5 months. Whilst laser division of complete tracheal rings has only been described in a small number of cases it may provide an alternative approach in patients who are not able to undergo an open procedure or in an emergency situation.
authors.affiliation: Department of ENT, Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Dalnair Street, Glasgow G3 8SJ, United Kingdom. Blackie006@yahoo.co.uk
authors.forename: Kate
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Blackmore
authors.forename: Haytham
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kubba
authors.forename: W Andrew
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Clement
mesh_terms: D001999:Bronchoscopy; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007828:Laryngoscopy; D053685:Laser Therapy; D054020:Lasers, Gas; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State; D008297:Male; D015607:Stents; D014132:Trachea / Q000002:abnormalities*; D014135:Tracheal Stenosis / Q000151:congenital* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*