LONG-TERM AIRWAY CONSIDERATIONS AFTER TREATMENT OF SEVERE PEDIATRIC LARYNGOTRACHEAL STENOSIS IN 5 CHILDREN

After initial treatment of severe laryngotracheal stenosis (LTS), we e valuated subsequent airway function. Five children between 2 and 11 ye ars were treated previously for severe LTS by T-tube stenting, One cas e underwent subsequent laryngotracheal reconstruction. Ail patients de monstrated dyspnea, the severity of which increased with age and durat ion of time after completion of stenosis treatment. In the most severe cases, magnetic resonance imaging and endoscopy revealed secondary su bglottic stenosis. Ventilatory function tests disclosed obstruction of both extrathoracic and pulmonary origin. These findings raise questio ns regarding the treatment of the initial stenosing tissue and of the secondary stenoses.