Intubation-related tracheal stenosis in very-low-birth-weight infants. Diagnosis and treatment.

Five infants who developed intubation-related tracheal stenosis were treated surgically with an anterior cricoid split instead of a tracheostomy. This surgery allowed early extubation and discharge of these patients who, on follow-up, have had adequate phonation and no further respiratory compromise. We suggest that this surgery be considered for all infants who develop intubation-related tracheal stenosis.