Laryngeal stenosis following papillomatosis--a report of three severe cases

Three cases of severe laryngeal papillomatosis beginning in early childhood are presented. Several methods of treatment were tried, but lasting results were achieved by suction diathermy. The laryngeal lumen was totally obliterated in all cases during the course of the disease. The patients were successfully operated on by making a laryngofissure in the front part of the larynx, excising the scar and enlarging the lumen by a median incision in th back wall of the larynx. An indwelling prosthesis was placed in the larynx for several months. After removing the prosthesis, the laryngeal lumen was dilated several times by oesophageal sounds. All patients were successfully decannulated. The results of treatment are evaluated both clinically and by ventilatory function studies. Central airway obstruction persisted in two cases.