• M J Rutter, B E Hartley, and R T Cotton.
• Department of Otolaryngology, Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039, USA. ruttm0@chmcc.org
• Arch Otolaryngol. 2001 Mar 1;127(3):289-92.

ObjectiveTo review our experience with cricotracheal resection in a pediatric population.DesignProspective case review of a cohort of patients undergoing cricotracheal resection.SettingTertiary care pediatric hospital.PatientsForty-four consecutive patients undergoing cricotracheal resection between January 1, 1993, and December 31, 1998.Main Outcome MeasuresDecannulation rates.ResultsThirty-eight (86%) of the 44 children are decannulated. The ultimate decannulation rate was independent of the presenting grade of subglottic stenosis. Fourteen children (100%) had a primary cricotracheal resection; all are decannulated. Twenty-one children had a salvage cricotracheal resection, and 19 (90%) are decannulated. Nine children had an extended cricotracheal resection, of whom 5 (56%) are decannulated. A primary cricotracheal resection was performed on a child on whom no previous open airway procedure had been performed. A salvage cricotracheal resection was performed on a child on whom previous open airway reconstruction had not resulted in an adequate airway. An extended cricotracheal resection was performed on a child on whom the cricotracheal resection was combined with a second procedure, either additional expansion cartilage grafting or an open arytenoid procedure. Most of these children had complex airway pathologic conditions.ConclusionCricotracheal resection complements standard laryngotracheal reconstruction techniques in a pediatric population.

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