Laryngotracheoplasty in the management of subglottic stenosis

Laryngotracheoplasty (LTP) has revolutionized the surgical management of subglottic stenosis in children. A 10-year review of patients at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia yielded 27 patients who had undergone a LTP. LTP with an anterior cartilage graft was utilized in over 80% of procedures. Morbidity was minimal, and there were no deaths. In this series, 78% of patients have been successfully decannulated. LTP has reduced the time necessary for decannulation in children with chronic tracheostomies as a result of subglottic stenosis.