Partial cricoid resection with primary tracheal anastomosis for subglottic stenosis in infants and children

Fifteen infants and children with a severe subglottic stenosis underwent a partial cricoid resection with primary tracheal anastomosis. The etiology of the stenosis was congenital in 3 cases and was acquired after prolonged intubation in 12. Fourteen patients were tracheotomy dependent at the time of surgery, and 13 (87%) of the 15 were classified grade III (7 cases) and IV (6 cases) according to Cotton. The resection included the cricoid only in 5 cases and the cricoid and a segment of trachea (1 to 4 rings) in 10 cases.