Open laryngotracheal reconstruction for iatrogenic posterior glottic stenosis in adults: international multicenter experience

Posterior glottic stenosis (PGS) has a significant impact on breathing and quality of life, and remains a challenging condition to manage. Literature does not provide a single optimal approach. In this study we aim to assess post-operative outcomes of adult patients with acquired PGS treated with open laryngotracheal reconstruction (LTR) with autologous or cadaveric rib grafting.

This multicenter retrospective cohort study included adults who underwent open LTR for iatrogenic PGS (2015–2023) and were followed for 26 months on average. Data on comorbidities, surgical complications, and interventions following surgery were collected.

Forty-three adult patients were included. Decannulation was successful in 76.7%, and 53.5% of patients required an endoscopic or open revision procedure for recurrent stenosis during the mean post-operative follow-up of 26 months. Patients with severe obesity (BMI ≥ 35), moderate to severe co-morbidity (ASA ≥ 3) or Chronic Kidney Disease were significantly more likely to fail decannulation after LTR. Diabetes Mellitus and ASA ≥ 3 were significant negative predictors for intervention-free survival. There were no significant differences in decannulation rate or intervention free survival between patients that had LTR with autologous (n = 26) versus cadaveric (n = 17) cartilaginous grafting.

This study describes the largest consecutive multicenter cohort of adult PGS patients treated with open LTR. This technique significantly improves breathing outcomes in PGS, with minimal complications in selected patients with a healthy weight and few comorbidities. Patients with a BMI ≥ 35, ASA ≥ 3, Diabetes Mellitus or renal failure have less favorable outcomes, with respect to decannulation rates and intervention-free survival.