Nasopharyngeal airway use for upper airway stenosis in neonates and infants with an underlying disease

Abstract

There are few reports of long-term airway management using a nasopharyngeal airway (NPA) in neonates and infants with an underlying disease. We performed a retrospective chart review of sixteen patients with an underlying disease in whom airway management was attempted using NPA. Five patients were able to be managed using NPA without serious adverse effects or the need for a tracheotomy or respirator. The eleven remaining patients received a tracheotomy due to laryngomalacia or some other reason. We found that NPA can be effective for managing upper airway stenosis in newborns and infants with an underlying disease if its length and placement are adjusted to accommodate the infant’s growth and follow-ups are done to prevent adverse effects.