Pulmonary parameters in children after laryngotracheal reconstruction

Laryngotracheal reconstruction in children with autogenous rib cartilage has proved successful in relieving laryngotracheal stenosis. To date, no objective measurements have been available to assess the upper airway's functional ability in these children after decannulation. A pilot study analyzing pulmonary function in 18 children successfully decannulated after laryngotracheal reconstruction was performed. The children ranged in age from 24 months to 12 years and were several months postdecannulation at the time of testing. The results of this pilot study offer an objective assessment of functional capacity after laryngotracheal reconstruction in older children and serve as a basis for objective follow-up. In younger children, pulmonary function values were difficult to obtain and proved to be of no significant value to the overall assessment of functional capacity of the airway.