Laryngotracheal growth following cricotracheal resection combined with laminotomy. An experimental study on rabbits.

Cricotracheal resection (CTR) has been shown to be successful in the treatment of pediatric subglottic stenosis. Whether CTR combined with posterior midline division or partial resection of the cricoid plate affects the stability and growth of the larynx is still questionable. The study included 24 infant female New Zealand White rabbits that were divided into 4 groups of 6 animals each. Group 1 was the unoperated control group. Group 2 underwent removal of three quarters of the anterior cricoid circumference, followed by a primary anastomosis (CTR). In addition to CTR, the rabbits in group 3 underwent a laminotomy by splitting of the cricoid plate midline. Group 4 underwent both CTR and partial resection of the lamina. No stents were used in this study. After 6 months, the experiment was terminated, and the following observations were made. Groups 2 and 3 presented a large and stable subglottic lumen, comparable to that of the control group. After partial cricoid plate resection, 4 of the rabbits in group 4 suffered from a subglottic collapse that caused an airway obstruction and resulted in death. These results support the conclusion that CTR alone, as well as combined with laminotomy, can be performed in a relatively safe and effective manner without interfering with the development of the larynx in young rabbits. Cricotracheal resection together with partial resection of the cricoid plate, however, leads to an unstable situation with an impaired airway.