CO2-LASER POSTERIOR TRANSVERSE CORDOTOMY FOR ISOLATED TYPE-IV POSTERIOR GLOTTIC STENOSIS

Posterior glottic stenosis is usually seen following prolonged endotra cheal intubation and after trauma to the anterior neck from motor vehi cle accidents.(1-6) Bogdasarian and 0lson(7) classified posterior glot tic stenosis into 4 groups: type I, glottic-interarytenoid scar with a normal posterior commissure; type II, interarytenoid and posterior co mmissure scar; type III, posterior commissure scar extending to one cr icoarytenoid joint; type IV, bilateral cricoarytenoid joint scar. Depe nding on the severity of the lesion (type IV being the most severe), t he patient can experience progressive airway obstruction and/or speech impairment. Numerous approaches are available to the otolaryngologist head and neck surgeon to treat such lesions. This report documents th e successful use of CO2 laser posterior transverse cordotomy to treat an isolated type IV posterior glottic stenosis.