[Balloon dilation as an alternative to tracheotomy for acquired subglottic stenosis in children of the first year of life].

Abstract

To study the efficacy and safety of balloon dilation as the first choice method in the treatment of children of the first year of life with acquired subglottic stenosis. A retrospective analysis of the treatment of 25 patients aged 27 days to 11 months of life (average age 5.3±3.76 months) with subglottic stenosis caused by prolonged intubation, in whom balloon dilation was the first method of treatment. Grade III Cotton-Myer stenosis was preoperatively detected in 22 children, the remaining 3 had grade II stenosis. The success rate of balloon dilation was 100%; tracheotomy was not required in any case, the absence of stenosis during a follow-up examination in the catamnesis was recorded in 14 (56%) children, the remaining 11 (44%) had grade 0-I stenosis and did not cause respiratory disorders. In 1 child (1.5 years old), a subglottic cyst was removed after balloon dilation. One dilation was required in 18 (72%) children, two - in 5 (20%), three and four - respectively for 1 patient. If additional intervention was necessary, the operation was repeated 10 days - 3 months after the previous one. There were no postoperative complications. Balloon dilation is a highly effective and safe alternative to traditional surgical interventions for acquired subglottic stenosis in children of the first year of life and can be recommended as a method of first choice.