Surgical Treatment of Laryngotracheal Stenosis : Recent Issues

Abstract

Airway stenosis, in particular, laryngotracheal stenosis, occurs due to various causes and pathological conditions, and a number of surgical procedures have been proposed for its treatment. For bilateral vocal fold paralysis, posterior glottic stenosis, and subglottic stenosis, the transoral and/or open approach, including laterofixation of the vocal fold, arytenoidectomy, and laryngotracheoplasty, can be performed according to the condition, extent, and severity of stenosis. Post tracheostomy laryngotracheal stenosis can also be treated surgically. In addition, the airway stenosis associated with COVID-19 infection has recently been recognized as a problem in relation to the treatment of COVID-19 pneumonia and can be possibly attributed to airway inflammation caused by COVID-19, long-term tracheal intubation, and/or inadequate management of tracheostomy. In order to avoid the risk of exposure to COVID-19 during surgery and to maintain tracheostoma without any complications, a specific method may be recommended for tracheostomy in patients with COVID-19. The proper surgical treatment should be adopted depending on the condition of laryngotracheal stenosis in order to maintain the laryngeal and tracheal lumen.