Analysis of treatment failure in pediatric subglottic stenosis

BACKGROUND: The good results obtained until nowadays in the surgery of subglottic stenosis is followed by an analysis of the failures. METHODS: We study retrospectively 48 cases treated in the last eight years in two institutions. Study variables were: age, previous diagnosis, grade os the stenosis, surgical treatment, complications and evolution. RESULTS: Mean age was 2.8 +/- 0.43 years (newborn-17 years). In 13 cases (27%) the result obtained was considered a failure. Failure indexes were: treatment selection (7,7%), surgical technique selection (23%), due to the technique itself (23%), iatrogenia (15,4%), associated diseases (30,7%). Mortality of the series was 8.3%. CONCLUSIONS: The learning curve of these techniques is difficult although once the necessary experience is achieved the results are excellent.