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Published on: December 29, 2014
Partial cricotracheal resection in children: potential pitfalls and avoidance of complications
Mercy George1, Christos Ikonomidis, Yves Jaquet
1Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital (CHUV), Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland 1011. roymercy@hotmail.com
Insights
Factors influencing pediatric decannulation after partial cricotracheal resection (PCTR) were studied. Addressing comorbidities and glottic involvement are key to successful outcomes and avoiding revision surgery.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Otolaryngology
- Surgical Outcomes Research
- Airway Reconstruction
Background:
- Severe subglottic stenosis in children often requires surgical intervention like partial cricotracheal resection (PCTR).
- Decannulation success after PCTR is crucial for restoring normal airway function.
- Factors contributing to delayed or failed decannulation require thorough investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify factors associated with failure or delay in decannulation following PCTR in pediatric patients.
- To analyze the impact of stenosis grade and surgical complications on decannulation rates.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective case review of 100 children undergoing PCTR between 1978 and 2008.
- Analysis of preoperative stenosis grades (II-IV) and postoperative outcomes, including decannulation rates and revision surgeries.
- Evaluation of complications such as anastomotic dehiscence and glottic stenosis.
Main Results:
- A 90% overall decannulation rate was achieved.
- Decannulation rates varied by stenosis grade: 100% for grade II, 95% for grade III, and 78% for grade IV.
- Revision surgery was needed in 14% of patients, primarily for posterior glottic stenosis; 6% mortality occurred, unrelated to surgery.
Conclusions:
- Preoperative management of comorbidities and associated syndromes is vital for optimal decannulation outcomes.
- Careful intraoperative assessment for double-stage surgery in extensive resections (>5 rings) can mitigate anastomotic dehiscence.
- Subglottic stenosis with glottic involvement presents a significant challenge, often requiring revision procedures.
Objectives:
To delineate the various factors contributing to failure or delay in decannulation after partial cricotracheal resection (PCTR) in children.
Study Design:
Case series.
Setting:
Academic tertiary medical center.
Subjects And Methods:
A retrospective case review of 100 children who underwent PCTR between 1978 and 2008 for severe subglottic stenosis using an ongoing database.
Results:
Ninety of 100 (90%) patients were decannulated. Six patients needed secondary tracheostomy. The results of the preoperative evaluation showed grade II stenosis in four patients, grade III in 64 patients, and grade IV in 32 patients. The overall decannulation rate was 100 percent in grade II, 95 percent in grade III, and 78 percent in grade IV stenosis. Fourteen (14%) patients required revision open surgery. The most common cause of revision surgery was posterior glottic stenosis. Partial anastomotic dehiscence was seen in four patients. Delayed decannulation (>1 year) occurred in nine patients. Overall mortality rate in the whole series was 6 percent. No deaths were directly related to the surgery. No iatrogenic recurrent laryngeal nerve injury was present in the entire series.
Conclusion:
Comorbidities and associated syndromes should be addressed before PCTR is planned to improve the final postoperative outcome in terms of decannulation. Perioperative morbidity due to anastomotic dehiscence, to a certain extent, can be avoided by intraoperative judgment in the selection of double-stage surgery when more than five tracheal rings need to be resected. Subglottic stenosis with glottic involvement continues to pose a difficult challenge to pediatric otolaryngologists, often necessitating revision procedures.
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