TREATMENT OF CHRONIC ASPIRATION SECONDARY TO LARYNGEAL STENT BY ENDOSCOPIC CAPPING

Maintaining an adequate airway after laryngotracheal reconstruction (L TR) is an important factor in achieving a successful outcome. Intralum inal stenting has long been advocated.(1) The purposes of an intralumi nal stent are to hold grafts or flaps in position, to support the reco nstructed but still unstable laryngotracheal framework, and to prevent scar contracture. A polytef (Teflon) stent is commonly used after LTR in the pediatric age group.(2) This hollow stent, introduced initiall y by Aboulker et al,(3) seems to induce less tissue reaction, while al lowing voice and respiration. The hole also aids in easy endoscopic re moval of the stent. Usually, the top of the stent must be positioned a bove the level of the false vocal cords, thus exposing the patient to possible aspiration. In a small number of patients, aspiration may per sist, causing significant morbidity. We describe an endoscopic procedu re to eliminate postoperative aspiration that fails to resolve with li me, by endoscopic capping of the hollow laryngeal stent.