Cricoid quartersection vs. anterior-posterior cricoid split: effect on subglottic growth in rabbits

Five-week-old New Zealand white rabbits were divided into three groups: control, anterior-posterior cricoid split with stent, and cricoid quartersection (anterior-posterior-lateral cricoid split) with stent. The stents were removed 2 weeks after placement. The rabbits were allowed to grow for six months, at which time they were killed and the larynges were studied. Average, minimal, and maximal subglottal cross-sectional areas were calculated for each animal and adjusted for weight. The cricoid quartersection group had significantly greater average, minimal, and maximal subglottal cross-sectional areas compared to controls and significantly greater minimal and maximal cross-sectional areas compared to the anterior-posterior cricoid split group. The anterior-posterior cricoid split group and the control group did not significantly differ with respect to any of the three parameters. The results indicate that anterior-posterior cricoid split and cricoid quartersection do not adversely affect subglottic growth. Cricoid quartersectioning was superior to the anterior-posterior cricoid split in its ability to expand subglottic airway dimension.