Single-or-two-stage laryngotracheal reconstruction; comparison of outcomes

To compare single-stage laryngotracheal reconstruction (SSLTR) and reconstruction with tracheostomy and indwelling stent (two-stage LTR), a retrospective review was made of 69 patients undergoing laryngotracheal reconstruction for subglottic stenosis at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children. Pre-operative details recorded included grade and aetiology of subglottic stenosis, history of previous laryngeal surgery, sex of patient and age at reconstruction. As a measure of outcome, the total number of procedures including all endoscopy and further reconstruction was recorded as well as de-cannulation rate, and the need for more than one reconstruction. The patients undergoing two-stage reconstruction tended to have more severe stenosis (mean grade = 2.56) compared to the SSLTR group (mean grade = 2.14) and were more likely to have had previous laryngeal surgery. Inevitably, the outcome after reconstruction in the two-stage patients is therefore less favourable, and direct comparison of the two groups is not statistically valid. However, multiple regression analysis reveals that single-stage reconstruction does confer a significant independent advantage over the two-stage procedure in terms of average number of post reconstruction procedures (p = 0.006), and a significant advantage in de-cannulation rate (p = 0.03). No difference was noted in the requirement for further reconstruction between the two groups. Although a two-stage procedure is still required in certain cases such as those with very severe stenosis or respiratory insufficiency, the single-stage reconstruction is the procedure of choice for uncomplicated paediatric subglottic stenosis.