Management of suprastomal tracheal fibroma: introduction of a new technique and comparison with other techniques

A Double-Anonymised Histopathological Comparative Study of CO2 Laser and Coblation in Head and Neck Surgery

CO2 Laser and Coblation are widely used in Head and neck Surgeries. This study compares the tissue changes produced by these two techniques. 50 Patients who underwent complete excision of benign and malignant pathologies in the Oral Cavity, Oropharynx, and Larynx with Coblation and CO2 Laser were included in the study. The primary excised specimen and another separate specimen from the base of the excised lesion were evaluated histologically based on criteria by Vescovi et al. (1). On histopathological examination, thermal effects (epithelial, connective tissue and vascular) produced by both techniques were comparable. However vascular changes were seen more in tissues CO2 Laser (P = 0.727). Incision margins were more regular in the CO2 Laser group (73%) than in Coblation (55%) but not statistically significant (P = 1.80). Depth of thermal damage (P = 0.171) and connective tissue changes(P = 0.279) was more with Coblation. Both Coblation and CO2 Laser can be used effectively in Head and Neck cases. CO2 Laser, when available, is a better option because of its precise excision, and less collateral tissue damage.

Combined trans-stomal endotracheal approach to peri-stomal tracheal pathologies in children

IMPORTANCE

Peristomal pathologies in tracheostomized children are common and often difficult to treat. They may preclude decannulation even after the initial pathology that required tracheostomy had been resolved.

OBJECTIVE

We evaluated the safety and effectiveness of combined direct laryngoscopy and trans-stomal endotracheal surgery in the treatment of pediatric peristomal pathologies.

METHODS

The medical records of all children and adolescents with tracheostomies who were surgically treated for peristomal pathologies by a combined endotracheal and trans-stomal approach between January 2006 and August 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Pathologies included stenosis, tracheomalacia, granulation tissue, and a combination of pathologies. Patient demographics and clinical details were retrieved. The primary outcome measure was successful decannulation. Secondary outcome measures were intra- and postoperative complications and number of procedures performed.

RESULTS

In total, 105 subjects aged 6 months to 17 years who underwent combined direct laryngoscopy and trans-stomal surgery were included. Fifty-two (49.5%) of them were successfully decannulated. The specific decannulation rates were 30.3%, 56%, and 59.6% for tracheal stenosis (TS), suprastomal granulation tissue (SSGT), and both, respectively. Trans-stomal microdebrider resection resulted in decannulation rates of 66.7% for TS and 88.8% for SSGT. Intra- and postoperative complications occurred in 4 (12.1%), 1 (4%), and 9 (20.45%) patients with TS, SSGT, and both, respectively. Older age at the time of first operation (p = .03) and tracheal stenosis (p = .02) were significantly associated with decannulation failure.

CONCLUSION

Combined direct laryngoscopy and trans-stomal endotracheal surgery can enable decannulation in almost 50% of children with peristomal pathologies, thus obviating open surgery. Multiple procedures may be required, depending upon the type and severity of the pathology. Complications are more common with multiple pathologies.

Inverting suprastomal granulomas

Although suprastomal granulomas are a common complication of tracheotomy, they usually are an incidental finding and do not always require treatment. However, large granulomas may require removal, either to assist with speech production or to make the airway safer in the event of an accidental decannulation. Very large suprastomal granulomas extending up to or even through the vocal cords have been described. However, inverting suprastomal granulomas extending distally down the length of a tracheotomy tube have not been previously described. We present two cases of large suprastomal granulomas that extended distally down the trachea. Both extended beyond the tip of the tracheotomy tube, causing partial airway obstruction, and therefore required excision. Laryngoscope, 127:2883-2885, 2017.

Pre-decannulation Peristomal Findings in Tracheostomized Cases and Their Effect on the Success of Decannulation

Decannulating a patient on a tracheostomy is a procedure that has to be dealt with vigilantly. This study evaluated both external and telescopic/bronchoscopic findings at the peristomal level of subjects being considered for decannulation. The patients did not undergo any intervention after above observations and before attempting decannulation. Thereafter peristomal findings and their contribution towards failure to decannulate were correlated. Thirty subjects were studied prospectively, of whom 21 (70 %) demonstrated peristomal complications including granulation tissue, ulceration, mucopurulent discharge, suprastomal granulations, suprastomal collapse and suprastomal flap. Complications were more common in the younger age group (p = 0.007) as well as in tracheostomies of longer duration with mean duration >20 months (p = 0.045). However there was no statistically significant correlation between the success of decannulation and various peristomal findings. Therefore the success of decannulation in a particular case cannot always be correctly predicted by peristomal assessment.

The feasibility of a fiber optic laser approach to relieving lymphedematous syndrome: a case report

Here we report a case of successful fiber optic laser treatment of lymphedema in a swollen arm post mastectomy. At the moment, this procedure has only anecdotal evidence to justify its use, but in our experience is a feasible, minimally invasive day-stay procedure which has been demonstrated to be safe and effective. Further nonhomogeneous case pooling and follow-up would enable guidelines and definite surgical protocols for its use to be implemented.

Powered debridement of suprastomal granulation tissue to facilitate pediatric tracheotomy decannulation

OBJECTIVE

To compare suprastomal granulation tissue (SSGT) removal using the microdebrider with other common methods of excision.

METHODS

Retrospective review (n=21) of SSGT excision at a tertiary care pediatric hospital (2004-10). Outcome measures included intraoperative blood loss, operative time, decannulation rates, and complications.

RESULTS

10 children underwent excision of SSGT via powered SSGT debridement and 8 were decannulated (80% success rate). Of the other 11 patients who had manually non-powered techniques (kerrison rongeur, laryngeal microinstruments, or optical forceps), 7 were decannulated (63% success rate). Operative time was on average shorter than all other procedures, but not significantly (p=0.101). There was no significant difference in blood loss when powered debridement was compared to other techniques (p=0.872). There were no significant complications encountered in our patients who received SSGT powered debridement.

CONCLUSIONS

Endoscopic powered SSGT debridement is a simple and useful tool in the process of pediatric tracheotomy decannulation with superior decannulation rate, shorter operative time, and comparable blood loss to other techniques.

Flexible CO2Laser Fiber in the Pediatric Airway

Objective. Our institution has been using a novel flexible laser fiber in pediatric surgical airway procedures, which has been quite successful. The purpose of this paper is to present our preliminary experience in the treatment of pediatric airway lesions using this laser technique.Methods.A case series reviewing 40 patients undergoing 95 laser procedures is reported. Indications included removal of suprastomal granulation tissue, removal of granulation after laryngotracheal reconstruction, subglottic and supraglottic stenoses, recurrent respiratory papillomas, subglottic hemangioma, laryngeal cleft, and left main stem bronchus stenosis. Procedures were performed via microdirect laryngoscopy and bronchoscopy.Results. No complications including postoperative glottic webs, concentric scar formation, or airway fires occurred in any of the patients (after the series was completed, we did experience an airway fire. It was a flash flame that was self-limited and caused no long-term tissue injury).Conclusions. The endoscopic application of a new flexible carbon dioxide laser fiber for management of pediatric airways lesions provides good outcomes in selected patients. Distal respiratory papillomas, subglottic stenosis, and granulation tissue are, in our experience, appropriate indications.

Trends in paediatric airway surgery: a move towards endoscopic techniques

The endoscope has long been an invaluable tool in assessment of the paediatric airway. Recently, its applications for definitive surgery of the airway have greatly increased, due to innovative surgical techniques, development of new instruments, improvements in anaesthesia and availability of new medications for endoscopic use. This review discusses the move towards endoscopic techniques in the management of paediatric airway disorders.