Beyond dilation: current concepts in endoscopic airway stenting and reconstruction.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To discuss current modalities of endoscopic airway management beyond balloon dilation therapy.

RECENT FINDINGS

Advances continue to be made through technology and bioengineering with exciting potential in the pediatric airway. Smaller robots and instrumentation allow increased endoscopic surgical success. Biodegradable stents and bioengineered grafts are on the horizon for use in airway surgery. Dysphonia following airway reconstruction is of increasing recognition with new endoscopic treatments being performed. Supraglottoplasty is further recognized as a treatment for obstructive sleep apnea for laryngomalacia diagnosed on sleep endoscopy. Interarytenoid injection may be beneficial in the normal larynx for aspiration and dysphagia as well as diagnosing and treating type I laryngeal clefts.

SUMMARY

Endoscopic airway surgery continues to be a popular and effective method of treating the pediatric airway. Technological advances such as in robotics may have an increasing role in the future of endoscopic airway surgery in children. Bioengineered airway adjuncts including biodegradable airway stents look to be promising in the future treatment of airway stenosis.