Subglottic stenosis of congenital origin or acquired within the first 12 months of life are challenging in many aspects. Surgical reconstruction is difficult due to the small anatomic dimensions. Tracheostomy is an additional risk factor attributing to mortality and should be avoided, if possible. In this paper, the most important types of subglottic stenosis in the first year of life are discussed. Conservative, endoscopic, and open surgical treatment options are presented and evaluated. Laryngotracheal reconstruction with autologous thyroid cartilage is the treatment of choice for the majority of significant subglottic stenosis cases in this age group. This technique is comparatively less invasive, versatile, and allows all options for open reconstruction using other techniques in case of recurrent stenosis. Subglottic stenosis in early infancy requires expertise and experience in diagnosis and treatment. Considering the limited incidence, these cases should be managed in a referral center.
In Germany, surgery for pediatric airway stenoses is not primarily focused on treatment centers. There is a significant information gap among German pediatricians regarding success rates of reconstructive airway surgery and available centers offering surgical therapy for this population. Several factors offer potential to be optimized in the care for children with a compromised airway and improving communication between otolaryngologists and pediatricians should be a primary goal in the future.
Probably the most important application of telemedicine in Germany is not distant patient care but an improved communication structure between different health care providers. Candidates for first routine applications are electronic medical reports and teleconsultations. The widespread use of telemedicine will be accompanied by an increased standardisation in medicine.
Chondrosarcomas of the larynx are rare malignant tumors usually diagnosed with significant delay due to their nonspecific symptoms. We report a 50-year-old male presenting with progressive dyspnea. Indirect laryngoscopy revealed a subglottic stenosis. The cricoid cartilage was shown on CT to be massively damaged. Histologic differentiation between chondroma and highly differentiated chondrosarcoma was very difficult. Therefore, an organ-preserving treatment concept using partial cricoid resection and staged endoscopic arytenoidectomy was chosen. Total laryngectomy and permanent tracheostomy could be avoided. Due to the risk of recurrence, early follow-up with endoscopy and CT is mandatory.
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