Balloon laryngoplasty for pediatric laryngeal stenosis: case series and systematic review.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to systematically review available literature on the outcomes of children treated with balloon laryngoplasty (BLP) as a primary or adjuvant treatment for subglottic or laryngeal stenosis, as well as briefly report on a new series of 60 children treated at the Medical University of South Carolina from 2007 to 2013.


METHODS
Review of published case series and retrospective chart review.


METHODS
A literature search was performed in PubMed and MEDLINE to identify trials that reported clinical outcomes of BLP in human patients under the age of 18 with subglottic or laryngeal stenosis. Single case reports and series studying the dilation of tracheal or bronchial stenosis alone were excluded. Hospital billing codes were used to identify appropriate patients for retrospective chart review. A successful outcome for chart review was determined to be decannulation of previous tracheostomy or avoidance of open laryngotracheoplasty or tracheostomy.


RESULTS
Seven studies published between 1991 and 2012 met inclusion criteria and reported outcomes with success defined through improvement of symptoms, decrease in Myer-Cotton level of stenosis, decannulation, or avoidance of reconstructive procedures. Including 60 children from our institution, 202 patients between 1 day and 22 years of age (average 35 months) underwent 457 dilations, with an average of 2.26 dilations per patient (2.25 in our population). The overall success rate was 64% (77% in our population). No complications were reported with subglottic or laryngeal dilations.


CONCLUSIONS
BLP is a highly effective, low-risk alternative or adjunct to traditional reconstructive procedures in children with subglottic or laryngeal stenosis.


METHODS
4.
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina.
Jennifer L
JL
Wentzel
Sidrah M
SM
Ahmad
Christopher M
CM
Discolo
M Boyd
MB
Gillespie
Allison M
AM
Dobbie
David R
DR
White
D002648:Child; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D058753:Laryngoplasty / Q000379:methods*; D007829:Laryngostenosis / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
Balloon; children; dilation; laryngoplasty; pediatric; subglottic stenosis