[Subglottic stenosis of the larynx following prolonged translaryngeal endotracheal and nasotracheal intubation in infancy (author's transl)].

Illness or injury prompting respiratory support, choice of size of the endotracheal tube, the extent of mechanical mucous membrane damage, the duration of intubation as well as additional bacterial and chemical toxins are the main factors for the development of subglottic stenosis following prolonged intubation. All this has to be considered when translaryngeal endotracheal or nasotracheal intubation has to be performed. The evaluation of 56 cases of postintubation subglottic stenoses showed an almost complete neglect of these decisive parameters as shown by the resulting serious consequenses for the somatic and intellectual development of the befallen children.