Short term intubation resulting in subglottic stenosis-an unusual presentation

ABSTRACT

The advent of ventilators, intensive care units and nontraumatic endotracheal intubation tubes brought substantial progress in the management of trauma. Unfortunately, intubation-induced complications are on the rise, the commonest ol which being subglottic stenosis. A report of a 3-year old child, who presented with subglottic stenosis following short term intubation for head injury, managed successfully by tracheostomy and endoscopic dilatation is presented. Relevant literature is reviewed. Acquired laryngotracheal stenosis is a problem of increasing incidence following widespread adoption of prolonged endotracheal intubation for respiratory support. The duration of intubation has a directly proportional relationship with the onset of inflammatory process resulting in subglotic stenosis. The authors present their experience with a case of subglottic stenosis in a 3-year old girl induced by relatively short term endotracheal intubation