Subglottic Stenosis in Children

Abstract

Subglottic stenosis has congenital as well as acquired causes. Acquired subglottic stenosis overwhelmingly occurs in patients with a history of endotracheal intubation. Children with a narrow airway may be prone to restenosis with early surgery. However, children also have social issues that need to be considered, such as the timing of language development and the need for schooling, so it is best to balance these factors and perform treatment at an appropriate time. If the subglottic stenosis is mild to moderate, minimally invasive endoscopic surgery, such as laser therapy or balloon dilation, is an option, while open airway reconstruction is considered for severe stenosis. In this article, we describe the treatment strategies in place at our hospital.