The history of pediatric airway reconstruction

Abstract

The pioneering work of many leaders in the field of airway reconstruction over the last 100 years has resulted in a number of effective airway reconstructive procedures that have led to the majority of children being successfully decannulated. In the future, more extensive surgeries, such as tracheal transplantation, may address the small number of children who presently cannot be decannulated.

Safety and postoperative adverse events in pediatric airway reconstruction: Analysis of ACS‐NSQIP‐P 30‐day outcomes

“…Airway reconstruction was first described by Chevalier Jackson in 1904; initial descriptions were primarily case reports and small case series describing treatment of cicatricial stenosis in adolescents and adults as a result of diphtheria or trauma . As vaccinations were developed and prolonged endotracheal intubation in neonates became more common in the 1970s, modern airway reconstructive procedures were developed . Despite a robust literature describing these reconstructive techniques, there is a paucity of data describing postoperative surgical outcomes, and more specifically postoperative morbidity and mortality.…”

Late complications of nickel–titanium alloy stent in tracheal stenosis

“…Most patients with benign laryngotracheal stenosis are treated by surgical resection with end‐to‐end anastomosis or laryngotracheal reconstruction with various autogenous grafts. These procedures have a >90% decannulation rate 5–8. Benign esophageal stenosis can also be treated surgically.…”

Management of severe suprastomal collapse with bioabsorbable microplates

“…Originally introduced in 1972, laryngotracheal reconstruction (LTR) has evolved to include a variety of techniques for expanding the stenotic airway, including reconstruction with rib cartilage grafting . With widespread use of open surgical techniques, success rates in achieving decannulation surpass 90% . Failure to decannulate may be due to multiple causes, including obstructive peristomal granulation or suprastomal collapse .…”