Partial cricotracheal resection for treatment of subglottic stenosis: complications and outcomes

• DOI: 10.3389/fsurg.2025.1559943
• Publication Date: 2025-02-13T07:10:02Z
• Authors: Jeroen Meulemans; Laila Mouqni; Noah Ostyn; Davide Di Santo; Greet Hens; Vincent Vander Po...; Christophe Dooms; Nico De Crem; Paul De Leyn; Ann Goeleven; Pierre Delaere
• Keywords: Subglottic stenosis; Granulation tissue; Wound dehiscence

Purpose Subglottic stenosis (SGS) is defined as an obstruction of the subglottic area, potentially extending towards first tracheal rings. Although endoscopic procedures are frequently preferred first-line treatment, (partial) cricotracheal resection (PCTR) offers most durable results. This study aims at reporting and analysing complications respiratory vocal outcomes after PCTR. Methods For this retrospective cohort analysis, files 37 patients with SGS who underwent PCTR in a tertiary referral center were reviewed. Patient- stenosis-characteristics along postoperative analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results The majority female (95%), which reflects high incidence idiopathic our patient group (89.2% vs. 2.7% postintubation 8.1% related to systemic inflammatory disease). Most presented Cotton grade II (35.1%) III (54.1%) stenosis, mean craniocaudal length 17.5 mm. vast (89.2%) had undergone previous procedures. common complication was fibrin deposit/granulation tissue formation anastomotic site ( n = 15, 40.5%). Other rare, dehiscence, haemorrhage cord paralysis each 1 (2.7%), temporary tracheostomy 2 (5.4%), wound infection 3 (8.1%). During follow-up, only (5.4%) developed restenosis successfully salvaged by No long-term dependent. Post-operative peak expiratory flow (PEF) percentage showed 43.7% increase compared pre-operative. maximum inspiratory (MIF) 50% 1.3 L/s. VHI (voice handicap index) scores increased significantly from baseline preoperative score 27.5 (±23.7) value 54.9 (±18.7) (p 0.002) 1-month postoperatively but decreased below years (22.2 ± 18.1, p 0.036). Conclusion efficient treatment for SGS, low rates, rate good outcomes.