Open AccessSevere Laryngomalacia: Management of 10 Cases with CO 2 Laser
Author(s) -
Pinto José A.,
Kohler Rodrigo,
Wambier Henrique,
Mizoguchi Elcio I.,
Ribeiro Renata C.,
Gomes Leonardo M.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
otolaryngology–head and neck surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.232
H-Index - 121
eISSN - 1097-6817
pISSN - 0194-5998
DOI - 10.1177/0194599812451426a223
Subject(s) - laryngomalacia , medicine , stridor , tracheotomy , retrospective cohort study , surgery , pediatrics , airway
Objective 1) Be able to quantify the prevalence of severe laryngomalacia in our department and evaluate the impact of postoperative CO 2 ‐laser supraglottoplasty. 2) Determine if CO 2 ‐laser supraglottoplasty laser is beneficial for patients with severe laryngomalacia. Method Retrospective study. Ten patients diagnosed with severe laryngomalacia in our service from October 2001 to September 2011 who underwent unilateral or bilateral CO 2 ‐laser supraglottoplasty. The main outcome measures were: type of laryngomalacia, resolution of clinically significant laryngomalacia, development of major complications, andlength of post‐operative hospital stay. Results A total of 10 pediatric patients aged 1 month to 14 years were enrolled. The mean age was 20.8 months. There were 6 men (60%) and 4 women (40%). Inspiratory stridor was the main clinical symptom (90%) and all children had significant relief of symptoms. Most common type of LM was the type I (60%). About 3 patients (30%) underwent a new surgery. None of them needed tracheotomy nor had major complications. Conclusion The majority of patients undergoing supraglottoplasty do not present complications. CO 2 ‐laser supraglottoplasty is a secure and effective treatment option for severe laryngomalacia. Furthermore the postoperative clinical follow‐up is an important factor for the successful treatment of laryngomalacia.