Balloon dilation in the management of subglottic stenosis in children

OBJECTIVE To investigate the efficacy and safety of balloon dilation in children with subglottic stenosis. METHODS The clinical data of children who had subglottic stenosis from April 2013 to February 2015 were ret rospectively studied. A total of 17 cases were included in this study. There were 12 boys and 5 girls with their age ranging from 5 months to 6 years(median age 2.9 y). According to Myer-Cotton laryngeal stenosis classification, 16 cases were grade III and one was grade II. RESULTS All patients underwent tracheotomy. And then, CO2 laser scar release and balloon dilation were performed under direct laryngoscope. Two cases had supporting tube implanted during surgery. All of the cases were followed up from 1 month to 1 year. The average times of balloon dilation were 3.4. The tracheal tube were removed in 11 cases and 2 cases prepared to block the tubes. One case of congenital subglottic stenosis was still under treated, one case did not remove the tube because of the adduction of the bilateral vocal cord, one cases prepared to implant suppor ting tube, and one case of congenital lary ngeal stenosis showed no efficacy. CONCLUSION Balloon dilation surgery for children with subglottic stenosis is safe and effective.