Treatment of subglottic stenosis in a child utilizing a costal cartilage graft

A nine-year old girl with severe subglottic stenosis secondary to an emergency tracheostomy is presented. Several conservative managements had no significant effect. The patient, however, was successfully extubated by surgical reconstruction with a costal cartilage graft. One year postoperatively, follow up showed no evidence of upper respiratory obstruction or interference with laryngeal growth. Management of severe subglottic stenosis in children is discussed and the usefulness of an autogenous graft for reconstruction of the larynx and upper trachea in the above-mentioned case is documented.