ACQUIRED LARYNGEAL STENOSIS IN INFANTS AND CHILDREN TREATED BY LARYNGOFISSURE AND STENTING

Thirty young patients with acquired laryngeal stenosis were treated by means of a laryngofissure and stenting. The age distribution suggeste d two subgroups: infants aged 0-2 years (n = 24), and children aged 6- 16 years (n = 6). The causes of the stenosis and the treatment results were different in these subgroups. Treatment resulted in successful d ecannulation in 22 of 24 infants, and in 5 of 6 children. Treatment in cluded a re-operation in two patients. In 1 patient the therapy failed , and 2 patients died after fatal complications. Decannulation rate, d uration of the tracheotomy, and the number of re-operations compare fa vorably to the results of other centers. The longer duration of stenti ng, and the high mortality rate may be considered disadvantages.