ENDOSCOPIC BALLOON DILATATION OF SUBGLOTTIC STENOSIS

Children with subglottic stenosis present a challenging problem to oto laryngologists. In many cases, a tracheostomy is necessary to safeguar d the airway, but morbidity and mortality in the tracheostomized child may be significant. Therefore attempts to improve the airway by endos copic means are often made; unfortunately, these have a variable succe ss rate. Recent encouraging results in the use of balloon dilatation f or subglottic stenosis led us to the successful use of this technique in a child whose stenosis had not responded to conventional endoscopic techniques. The reasons for the success are discussed.