A refashioned foley catheter: novel cost-effective available stent in pediatric laryngotracheal reconstruction

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Pediatric Surgery
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Pediatric laryngotracheal stenosis (LTS) often requires surgical intervention, including laryngotracheal reconstruction (LTR).
• Stenting is a crucial component in managing LTS post-LTR, but available stents can be costly or associated with complications.
• There is a need for cost-effective, safe, and readily available stenting solutions for pediatric LTS.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a novel, refashioned Foley catheter as a cost-effective stent for pediatric laryngotracheal reconstruction (LTR).
• To present a commercially available and inexpensive stenting option for managing pediatric laryngotracheal stenosis (LTS).

Main Methods:

• A prospective clinical study involving 31 pediatric patients (up to 8 years) with LTS undergoing LTR.
• Detailed description of Foley catheter selection, atraumatic insertion techniques, and endoscopic removal procedures.
• Mean follow-up duration of 6.45 months.

Main Results:

• Successful stenting with refashioned Foley catheters in 31 pediatric cases of LTS.
• Subglottic stenosis was the predominant indication for LTR (74.2%).
• High decannulation rate (96.8%) with no reported stent-related complications such as migration, granulation tissue, aspiration, or pressure necrosis.

Conclusions:

• The refashioned Foley catheter serves as a novel, accessible, and economical stent for pediatric LTS requiring LTR.
• The stent's soft, pliable nature facilitates atraumatic insertion and easy endoscopic removal, minimizing complications.