title: Flexible CO2 Laser Treatment for Subglottic Stenosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the efficacy and safety of flexible fiber CO2 laser surgery for subglottic stenosis and to present retrospective experience of 14 patients treated with flexible fiber CO2 laser system. To determine the characteristics, management protocols, prognostic factors, and postoperative outcomes of the sample.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective review of patients with subglottic stenosis undergoing flexible fiber CO2 laser surgery at the tertiary medical center. All demographic and clinical data were collected, radiologic and endoscopic evaluations were performed to assess the characteristics of stenosis. Myer-Cotton grading scale was used for classification of stenotic area.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All patients have subglottic stenosis due to intubation-related causes and inappropriate tracheostomy procedure. The duration of intubation period ranged from 15 days to 4 years; 11 patients have grade III stenosis according to Myer-Cotton system and there was cricoid involvement in 2 patients. The mean follow-up period was 5.2 months and postoperative decannulation was achieved in 10 patients (71.4%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Subglottic stenosis is the difficult situation to manage minimal invasively. Flexible fiber CO2 laser surgery is safe and effective in the management of properly selected patients and can be used as a first option for patients.
authors.affiliation: *Department of Otolaryngology, Istanbul Medipol University, Istanbul †Department of Otolaryngology, Yunus Emre State Hospital, Eskisehir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Rasit
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cevizci
authors.forename: Alper
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dilci
authors.forename: Ilknur Haberal
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: Can
authors.forename: Burak
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kersin
authors.forename: Yildirim
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Bayazit
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005931:Glottis; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000009:adverse effects; D007829:Laryngostenosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D054020:Lasers, Gas / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014139:Tracheostomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult