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Anesthesia for laryngotracheal reconstruction in children: A narrative review
Amy J Lee1, Jeremy D Prager2, Tessa N Mandler1
1Department of Anesthesiology, Children's Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
Insights
Laryngotracheal stenosis in children, often from neonatal intubation, causes airway obstruction. Management requires multidisciplinary teams, focusing on medical care and surgical collaboration for reconstruction.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Otolaryngology
- Anesthesiology
- Respiratory Medicine
Background:
- Laryngotracheal stenosis is a significant cause of pediatric airway obstruction.
- Acquired subglottic stenosis commonly arises from prolonged neonatal intubation.
- Clinical signs vary, from stridor to acute airway compromise.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the pathophysiology, evaluation, and management of laryngotracheal stenosis in children.
- To emphasize perioperative anesthetic considerations for laryngotracheal reconstruction.
Main Methods:
- This is a narrative review.
- It synthesizes information on medical and surgical interventions.
- Focus is placed on anesthetic management during surgery.
Main Results:
- Optimal care necessitates a multidisciplinary approach.
- Medical management addresses respiratory, feeding, and psychosocial aspects.
- Successful surgical outcomes depend on close collaboration between surgical and anesthetic teams.
Conclusions:
- Laryngotracheal stenosis requires comprehensive, team-based care.
- Anesthetic management is critical for successful laryngotracheal reconstruction.
- Early recognition and coordinated intervention improve patient outcomes.
Abstract:
Laryngotracheal stenosis, congenital or acquired, is a common cause of pediatric airway obstruction. Acquired subglottic stenosis frequently results from prolonged neonatal intubation. The clinical presentation of subglottic stenosis is variable, ranging from biphasic stridor and frequent upper respiratory infections to acute airway compromise. Optimal patient care requires clinical coordination within a multidisciplinary subspecialty team. Medical management includes optimizing respiratory status, gastroesophageal reflux, speech, feeding, nutrition therapies, and providing psychosocial support. If surgical intervention is required, the otolaryngologist, anesthesiologist, and perioperative team must collaborate closely to ensure successful operative outcomes. This narrative review of laryngotracheal stenosis will discuss the pathophysiology, clinical evaluation, medical management, and surgical interventions, and focus on the perioperative anesthetic considerations for children undergoing laryngotracheal reconstruction.
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