Optimal laser usage improves surgical efficiency in pediatric supraglottoplasty

To compare patient specific and surgical efficiency outcomes in children undergoing supraglottoplasty (SGP) with flexible fiber CO2 laser in Ultrapulse mode versus cold steel at a tertiary care center.

A single surgeon retrospective cohort study of pediatric patients with laryngomalacia undergoing SGP without concomitant or prior airway surgery. We reviewed perioperative complications, total hospital stay including intensive care admission, symptom resolution and the need for revision surgery. Surgical efficiency was measured as the mean total operative time and laryngeal suspension time.

Among 63 patients, 32 cold steel SGPs were compared with 31 flexible fiber CO2 Ultrapulse laser SGPs. There was no statistical difference in the demographic profile. There was no statistical difference in need for intraoperative resuscitation (1 [3.0%] vs 0 [0%] cases) or perioperative intubation (4 [12.1%] vs 2 [6.3%] cases), mean total days in ICU (1.09 [0.51] vs 1.06 [0.44] [p = 0.38]) or days hospitalized (1.73 [1.67] vs 1.62 [2.27] [p = 0.42]), symptom resolution, need for revision surgery (2 [6.3%] vs 0 [0%] [p = 0.49] patients) or mean operative time (29.0 [14.19] vs. 32.2 [22.71] [p = 0.95] minutes). There was a statistically significant decreased time in laryngeal suspension in the laser group versus cold steel group (5.9 [1.80] vs 7.9 [2.19] [p = 0.006] minutes).

For pediatric SGPs, optimal flexible fiber CO2 laser usage can improve surgical efficiency in comparison to cold steel, with no differences in postoperative outcomes or complications. Both the flexible fiber CO2 laser and cold steel SGPs are safe and effective methods for treatment of laryngomalacia.