Pediatric airway reconstruction: results after implementation of an airway team in Brazil / Reconstrução de vias aéreas pediátricas: resultados após a implantação de uma equipe de vias aéreas no Brasil

Abstract Introduction Since development of pediatric intensive care units, children have increasingly and appropriately been treated for complex surgical conditions such as laryngotracheal stenosis. Building coordinated airway teams to achieve acceptable results is still a challenge. Objective To describe patient demographics and surgical outcomes during the first 8 years of a pediatric airway reconstruction team. Methods Retrospective chart review of children submitted to open airway reconstruction in a tertiary university healthcare facility during the first eight years of an airway team formation. Results In the past 8 years 43 children underwent 52 open airway reconstructions. The median age at surgery was 4.1 years of age. Over half of the children (55.8%) had at least one comorbidity and over 80% presented Grade III and Grade IV subglottic stenosis. Other airway anomalies occurred in 34.8% of the cases. Surgeries performed were: partial and extended cricotracheal resections in 50% and laryngotracheoplasty with anterior and/or posterior grafts in 50%. Postoperative dilatation was needed in 34.15% of the patients. Total decannulation rate in this population during the 8-year period was 86% with 72% being decannulated after the first procedure. Average follow-up was 13.6 months. Initial grade of stenosis was predictive of success for the first surgery (p = 0.0085), 7 children were submitted to salvage surgeries. Children with comorbidities had 2.5 greater odds (95% CI 1.2-4.9, p = 0.0067) of unsuccessful surgery. Age at first surgery and presence of other airway anomalies were not significantly associated with success. Conclusions The overall success rate was 86%. Failures were associated with higher grades of stenosis and presence of comorbidities, but not with patient age or concomitant airway anomalies.

Resumo Introdução: Com o desenvolvimento de unidades de terapia intensiva pediátrica, o tratamento de crianças para situações cirúrgicas complexas, como a estenose laringotraqueal, tem sido cada vez mais adequado. Montar equipes coordenadas de via aérea para alcançar resultados aceitáveis ainda é um desafio. Objetivo: Descrever os dados demográficos e os resultados cirúrgicos dos pacientes durante os primeiros oito anos de uma equipe de reconstrução de via aérea pediátrica. Método: Revisão retrospectiva de prontuários de crianças submetidas à reconstrução aberta de via aérea em uma unidade de saúde universitária de nível terciário durante os primeiros oito anos de desenvolvimento de uma equipe de vias aéreas. Resultados: Nos últimos 8 anos, 43 crianças foram submetidas a 52 reconstruções abertas de vias aéreas. A mediana de idade na cirurgia foi de 4,1 anos. Mais da metade das crianças (55,8%) apresentavam pelo menos uma comorbidade e mais de 80% apresentavam estenose subglótica Grau III e Grau IV. Outras anomalias das vias aéreas ocorreram em 34,8% dos casos. As cirurgias feitas foram: ressecções cricotraqueais parciais e estendidas em 50% e laringotraqueoplastia com enxertos anterior e/ou posterior em 50%. A dilatação pós-operatória foi necessária em 34,15% dos pacientes. A taxa de decanulação total nesta população durante o período de 8 anos foi de 86%, com 72% dos pacientes decanulados após o primeiro procedimento. O seguimento médio foi de 13,6 meses. O grau inicial de estenose foi preditivo de sucesso para a primeira cirurgia (p = 0,0085), 7 crianças foram submetidas a cirurgias de resgate. Crianças com comorbidades apresentaram uma probabilidade 2,5 vezes maior (IC95% 1,2-4,9, p = 0,0067) de cirurgias sem sucesso. A idade na primeira cirurgia e a presença de outras anomalias das vias aéreas não foram significantemente associadas ao sucesso. Conclusões: A taxa global de sucesso foi de 86%. As falhas foram associadas a graus maiores de estenose e a presença de comorbidades, mas não com a idade do paciente ou anomalias concomitantes das vias aéreas.

Advanced laryngotracheal stenosis patients in a tertiary provincial government hospital: A prospective case series

@#<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>OBJECTIVE:</strong> To describe the clinical profiles, interventions, and surgical outcomes of patients with advanced (grade III and IV) laryngotracheal stenosis prospectively seen over a 2-year period.  </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>METHODS:</strong></p><p style="text-align: justify;">           <strong>Design:</strong>           Prospective Case Series</p><p style="text-align: justify;">          <strong>Setting:</strong>           Tertiary Provincial Government Hospital</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>          Participants:</strong>  Five (5) patients with advanced laryngotracheal stenosis confirmed by laryngoscopy and/or tracheoscopy.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>RESULTS:</strong> Five (5) patients (4 males, 1 female), aged 23 to 31years (mean 27-years-old) diagnosed with advanced laryngotracheal stenosis between June 2016 to June 2018 were included in this series. Four resulted from prolonged intubation (14 - 60 days) while one had a prolonged tracheotomy (13 years). Presentations of stenosis included dyspnea on extubation attempt (n=3), failure to extubate (n=1) and failure to decannulate tracheotomy (n=1). Stenosis length was 3 cm in two, and 1.5 cm in three. Of the five (5) patients, three had grade IV stenosis while two had grade III stenosis based on the Cotton-Myer Classification System. Two of those with grade IV stenosis and both patients with grade III stenosis had undergone prolonged intubation. The stenosis involved the subglottis in three, and combined subglottic and tracheal stenosis in two. Prolonged intubation was present in all three with subglottic stenosis, and in one of the two with combined subglottic and tracheal stenosis. Two patients underwent open surgical approaches while three underwent endoscopic dilatation procedures. Four patients were successfully decannulated while one is still on tracheostomy. None of them had post-operative complications.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>CONCLUSION:</strong>  Advanced laryngotracheal stenosis is a challenging entity that results from heterogenous causes. Categorizing stenosis and measuring stenosis length may help in treatment planning and predicting surgical outcome.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"> </p>

The application of thyroid alar cartilage in the reconstruction of subglottic stenosis for children / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

Objective@#To explore the application value of thyroid alar cartilage(TAC) in the laryngotracheal reconstruction of subglotticstenosis in the paediatric population.@*Methods@#Twelve patients(7 males,5 females; range from 2.3 to 12.0 years) with subglotticstenosis who had undergone laryngotracheal reconstruction procedures at our hospital fromSeptember 2016 to July 2018 were analyzed retrospectively.The degree of stenosis was classified according to Myer-Cotton classification system:grade Ⅱ(n=4),grade Ⅲ(n=6) and grade Ⅳ(n=2). The stenosis planes were subglotticbut did not exceed the 3rd tracheal cartilage ring.@*Results@#Of all 12 patients, 11 were decannulated and 1 failed. All patients with grade Ⅱ and Ⅲ patients were decannulated at one procedure. There were no severe complications such as tube dislogement,asphyxia and unhealed wound.@*Conclusions@#The TAC for widening laryngotracheal lumen is relatively simple and reliable for laryngotracheal reconstruction in the pediatric population with subglottic stenosis. This would′t cause any structural damage to the laryngeal cavity.

Laryngo Tracheal Stenosis : Management And Its Outcomes

Introduction: Laryngotracheal stenosis (LTS) implies a partial or complete narrowing of the larynx and/or trachea. Surgical management of it is technically challenging due to complex anatomy and delicate nature of airway structures. Ourstudy aims to study clinical profile, management, and surgical outcome of LTS. Materials and Methods: All patients with LTS treated between 2015 and 2018 were included in in our study.They underwent endoscopic assessment followed by definitive management which included endoscopic and external surgical techniques. The success of treatment was defined by decannulation Subjective assessment of voice quality.Results: A total of 30 patients with benign LTS were treated. Prolonged intubation was the single largest cause (56%). subglottic stenosis formed the largest group (74%) followed by Tracheal stenosis (14%).patiens were devided in four group depending upon surgical procedure they underwent:GROUP–I,endoscopic laser excision and dilatation(12cases),GROUP–II laryngo tracheoplasty and t–tube insertion(10 cases),GRUP–III tracheal stent insertion(3 cases),GROUPIV–Rection and anstomosis.Rate of decannalation following this surgical procedure in GROUP–I,GROUP–II,GROUP–III and GROUP–IV were 58%,60%,33% and80%.A total of 19 patients (63%) have been successfully decannulated. Conclusions: The use of appropriate size, low pressure cuffed tubes, and early tracheostomy will help in preventing LTS. The precise assessment of laryngotracheal complex is most useful in planning of management. Choice of treatment depends on location, severity, and length of stenosis, as well as on patient comorbidities an dhistory of previous interventions. Goal of our treatment modality is to achieve a patent airway and acceptable voice quality.

Airway reconstruction: review of an approach to the advanced-stage laryngotracheal stenosis / Reconstrução de via aérea: revisão de uma abordagem à estenose laringotraqueal em estágio avançado

Abstract Introduction: The management of laryngotracheal stenosis is complex and is influenced by multiple factors that can affect the ultimate outcome. Advanced lesions represent a special challenge to the treating surgeon to find the best remedying technique. Objective: To review the efficacy of our surgical reconstructive approach in managing advanced-stage laryngotracheal stenosis treated at a tertiary medical center. Methods: A retrospective review of all patients that underwent open laryngotracheal repair/reconstruction by the senior author between 2002 and 2014. Patients with mild/moderate stenosis (e.g. stage 1 or 2), or those who had an open reconstructive procedure prior to referral, were excluded. Patients who had only endoscopic treatment (e.g. laser, balloon dilatation) and were not subjected to an open reconstructive procedure at our institution, were not included in this study. Variables studied included patient demographics, clinical presentation, etiology of the laryngotracheal pathology, the location of stenosis, the stage of stenosis, the type of corrective or reconstructive procedure performed with the type of graft used (where applicable), the type and duration of stent used, the post-reconstruction complications, and the duration of follow-up. Outcome measures included decannulation rate, total number of reconstructive surgeries needed to achieve decannulation, and the number of post-operative endoscopies needed to reach a safe patent airway. Results: Twenty five patients were included, aged 0.5 months to 45 years (mean 13.5 years, median 15 years) with 16 males and 9 females. Seventeen patients (68%) were younger than 18 years. Most patients presented with stridor, failure of decannulation, or respiratory distress. Majority had acquired etiology for their stenosis with only 24% having a congenital pathology. Thirty-two reconstructive procedures were performed resulting in decannulating 24 patients (96%), with 15/17 (88%) pediatric patients and 5/8 (62.5%) adult patients requiring only a single reconstructive procedure. Cartilage grafts were mostly used in children (84% vs. 38%) and stents were mostly silicone made, followed by endotracheal tubes. The number of endoscopies required ranged from 1 to 7 (mean 3). More co-morbidities existed in young children, resulting in failure to decannulate one patient. Adult patients had more complex pathologies requiring multiple procedures to achieve decannulation, with grafting less efficacious than in younger patients. The pediatric patients had double the incidence of granulation tissue compared to adults. The decannulated patients remained asymptomatic at a mean follow-up of 50.5 months. Conclusion: The review of our approach to open airway repair/reconstruction showed its efficacy in advanced-stage laryngotracheal stenosis. Good knowledge of a variety of reconstructive techniques is important to achieve good results in a variety of age groups.

Resumo Introdução: A conduta da estenose laringotraqueal é complexa e é influenciada por vários fatores que podem afetar o resultado final. Lesões em estágio avançado representam um desafio especial para o cirurgião encontrar a melhor técnica de tratamento. Objetivo: Avaliar a eficácia de nossa abordagem de reconstrução cirúrgica no tratamento de estenose laringotraqueal em estágio avançado em um centro médico terciário. Método: Revisão retrospectiva de todos os pacientes submetidos a tratamento cirúrgico/reconstrução laringotraqueal aberta pelo autor principal, entre 2002 e 2014. Os pacientes com estenose leve (por exemplo, estágio 1 ou 2) ou aqueles submetidos a procedimento de reconstrução aberta antes da indicação foram excluídos. Pacientes que tinham sido submetidos somente a tratamento endoscópico (por exemplo, laser, dilatação por balão) e não haviam sido submetidos a procedimento de reconstrução aberta em nossa instituição não foram incluídos. As variáveis estudadas incluíram dados demográficos dos pacientes, apresentação clínica, etiologia da doença laringotraqueal, local da estenose, estágio da estenose, o tipo de procedimento corretivo ou reconstrutor feito com o tipo de enxerto usado (onde aplicável), tipo e duração do stent usado, complicações pós-reconstrução e duração do seguimento. Os resultados incluíram taxas de decanulação, número total de cirurgias reconstrutoras necessárias para possibilitar a decanulação e o número de endoscopias pós-operatórias necessárias para obter uma via aérea patente e segura. Resultados: Vinte e cinco pacientes foram incluídos, com 0,5 meses a 45 anos (média de 13,5, mediana de 15) com 16 homens e nove mulheres. Dezessete pacientes (68%) eram menores de 18 anos. A maioria dos pacientes apresentava estridor, falha de decanulação ou desconforto respiratório. A maioria das estenoses era adquirida, enquanto apenas 24% apresentavam causa congênita. Trinta e dois procedimentos reconstrutores foram feitos, resultaram em decanulação de 24 pacientes (96%), com 15/17 (88%) pacientes pediátricos e 5/8 pacientes (62,5%) adultos que necessitaram de apenas um único procedimento reconstrutor. Enxertos de cartilagem foram usados principalmente em crianças (84% vs. 38%) e a maioria dos stents era feita principalmente de silicone, seguido por tubo endotraqueal. O número de endoscopias necessárias variou de um a sete (média de três). Mais comorbidades foram observadas em crianças pequenas, o que resultou em falha de decanulação em um paciente. Pacientes adultos apresentavam doenças mais complexas que requereram vários procedimentos para decanulação, com enxertos menos eficazes do que em pacientes mais jovens. Os pacientes pediátricos apresentaram o dobro da incidência de tecido de granulação em comparação com os adultos. Os pacientes decanulados permaneceram assintomáticos em um seguimento médio de 50,5 meses. Conclusão: A revisão da nossa abordagem para tratamento cirúrgico/reconstrução aberta das vias aéreas demonstrou eficácia na estenose laringotraqueal em estágio avançado. O conhecimento de uma variedade de técnicas de reconstrução é importante para conseguir bons resultados em vários grupos etários.

Estenosis laringotraqueal: experiencia clínica / Laryngo-tracheal stenosis: our experience

Introducción: La estenosis laringotraqueal es una patología de difícil manejo y obtener un resultado que permita, al sujeto que la padece, volver a tener una función adecuada fonorrespiratoria y deglutoria, no siempre es factible de obtener. Objetivo: Presentar una serie clínica de pacientes que tienen una estenosis de la vía aérea superior (VAS) y que fueron intervenidos quirúrgicamente. Como objetivo secundario es evaluar si a técnicas similares hay o no diferencias entre los grupos etarios. Material y método: Presentamos un análisis retrospectivo de los pacientes intervenidos quirúrgicamente por los autores. En él se realiza la descripción demográfica de los casos, sitio de la estenosis, tipo de intervención según edad; porcentaje de éxito en la decanulación después de una o varias intervenciones, necesidad de reoperación, tipo de injerto y tutores utilizados. Se dividió el grupo en pediátrico (hasta los 18 años) y adulto (mayores de 19 años). Los resultados fueron analizados con las pruebas no paramétricas de x² y de Fisher. Resultados: La casuística consta de 88 pacientes intervenidos quirúrgicamente para reparar una estenosis laringotraqueal. Los menores de 18 años corresponden a 45 casos (51 por ciento). El porcentaje de éxito alcanzado en la primera cirugía es de 75,6 por ciento (34/45 casos) en los menores de 18 años y de 76,7 por ciento por ciento (33/43 casos) en los mayores de 19 años. Se reoperan 15/21 casos fracasados en primera instancia; logrando decanular a 13 de ellos aumentando el éxito a 90,9° por ciento. Fracasan a las reoperaciones y pendientes de resolver aún, 8 casos. La técnica más utilizada fue la reconstrucción laringotraqueal con injerto de cartílago costal ya sea anterior y/o posterior, por ser la estenosis subglótica el sitio de la lesión. El porcentaje de éxito para esta técnica es de 68,3 por ciento; siendo en los menores de...

Introduction: Laryngo-tracheal stenosis is a condition difficult to manage and obtain results which permit the person who suffers it recover phonorespiratory and deglutory function. This is not always possible to achieve. Aim: Present a clinical series of patients with stenosis of the VAS and underwent surgery. A secondary objective is to assess whether or not there are similar technical differences between age groups. Material and method: We present a retrospective analysis of patients surgically treated by the authors. They present demographic description cases, site of stenosis, type of intervention according to age; percentage of successful decannulation after one or more interventions; reoperation, type of graft and stents used. The group was divided into pediatric and adult. Statistical analysis was performed with x2 and Fisher. Results: The case mix consists of 88 patients who underwent surgery to repair laryngo-tracheal stenosis. Children under 18 years correspond to 45 cases (51 percent percent). The percentage of success in the first surgery is 75.6 percent percent (34/45 cases) in children under 18 and 76.7 percent percent (33/43 cases) over 19years. 15/21 failed cases were reoperated in the first instance; 13 of them were decannulated increasing success to 90.9 percent percent. Reoperation failure and still unresolved, 8 cases. Surgical technique used was laryngotracheal reconstruction with costal cartilage graft either anterior or posterior being subglottic the site of stenosis. Success rate to this technique is 68.3 percent percent. In patients under 18 years old is 71 percent percent success and over 18 years 60 percent percent. For tracheal stenosis, tracheal resection with end to end anastomosis has a success rate of over 90 percent and it is performed mostly in the age group over 18 years...

Reconstruction of laryngotracheal defect using the musculo-periosteum flapof the sternocleidomastoideus with clavicular periosteum / 临床耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

Objective:To investigate the effect of the musculo-periosteum flap of the sternocleidomastoideus with clavicular periosteum on the reconstruction of extensiveness laryngotracheal defect. Method: Retrospectively studied 49 patients, who admited in our department from 1996 to 2005 years for severe laryngotracheal defect. There were 28 males and 21 females aged from 15 to 69 years old (mean age was 47 years old). The causes of laryngotracheal defect were laryngotracheal stenosis(31 cases) and surgery for thyroid carcinoma invading trachea (18 cases). All of 49 cases were treated with the graft of musculo-periosteum flap of the sternocleidomastoideus with clavicular periosteum and placed a silicon T-tube stenting for 3 to 6 months. Result; All of 49 cases were successfully decannulated with recuperative normal airway patency and effective phonation. The follow up ranged from 2 to 10 years, and the effect of operation was steady. Conclusion:The musculo-periosteum flap of the sternocleidomastoideus with clavicular periosteum is an ideal graft for the reconstruction of cervical extensiveness tracheal defect.