[Laryngotracheal fissure in infants. Indications, technique, results]

Since laryngotracheofissiure, or anterior cricotomy, has been introduced in 1980, the number of tracheotomies performed in infants has decreased as this procedure is an alternative to tracheotomy for difficult extubation. Since then, the indications of this procedure have become wider, but a number of preoperative criteria, such as the pulmonary capacity, must be strictly assessed. We report on our experience with 14 children who underwent laryngotracheofissiure during the past 4 years. The indications, the surgical technique and the results are evaluated.