Visualization of the Supraglottis in Laryngomalacia With 3-Dimensional Pediatric Endoscopy.

Importance: The use of 3-dimensional (3D) endoscopy has been described in the pediatric airway and has been shown to improve visualization of complex airway anatomy. Laryngomalacia is one of the most common airway disorders evaluated in pediatric otolaryngology offices. Whether 3D visualization is superior to standard endoscopy as a means for assessment and surgical management of complex airway anatomy is unclear.

Objective: To describe a pilot case series using 3D endoscopy to facilitate supraglottoplasty and to assess surgical outcomes.

Design, Setting, And Participants: A prospective case series was conducted of 11 children undergoing supraglottoplasty from July 1, 2010, to June 31, 2014, at a tertiary care pediatric hospital. Infants and children with symptomatic laryngomalacia were eligible for the study. Follow-up was completed on December 31, 2014, and data were assessed from February 1 to 15, 2015.

Interventions: Supraglottoplasty performed using 3D endoscopy.

Main Outcomes And Measures: The outcome data collected included length of hospital stay and frequency of complications (ie, aspiration, granuloma formation, supraglottic narrowing, revision surgery, tracheostomy, and gastrostomy).

Results: Eleven children were treated for laryngomalacia with supraglottoplasty (6 boys and 5 girls; mean [SD] age, 29 [85] months). Four of these children (36%) also had grade I subglottic stenosis. The 3D endoscope was judged by all participating senior surgeons to improve visualization of the supraglottic anatomy and to permit more precise tissue removal. No complications occurred after the surgery. Hospital stay was found to be an unreliable indicator owing to multiple comorbidities in many children. Worsening of aspiration occurred in 1 child (9%) who subsequently required gastrostomy tube placement. This child demonstrated progressive neurologic impairment and had severe hypotonia and developmental delay. Another child with subglottic stenosis and subglottic cysts required a tracheostomy owing to severe rhinovirus tracheitis. The remaining 9 children (82%) had good outcomes, with a mean follow-up of 14.7 (range, 12-24) months.

Conclusions And Relevance: The anatomy of the supraglottis in laryngomalacia is better visualized using 3D techniques. Use of 3D endoscopy may allow for more precise tissue removal. The outcomes and complication rates are similar to those of standard 2D techniques. This study provides a platform to begin comparative analysis between 3D and standard 2D techniques.