Improved canine model for laryngotracheal stenosis

Laryngotracheal stenosis (LTS) is a serious challenge for the otolaryngolog ist. Although progress has been made in preventing and treating LTS, more r esearch is required. Existing canine models for LTS incur high mortality an d morbidity, require relatively complicated procedures or costly equipment, entail lengthy waiting periods, or have unpredictable results. A simple, r eliable, and inexpensive procedure, requiring no tracheotomy, is described for creating a canine model for LTS research. The new improved model is com pared with previous models described in the literature, It will be especial ly useful for short-term studies of subglottic or tracheal stenosis.