Reconstructive surgeries on the larynx and cervical trachea in children

Introduction. One of the urgent problems in pediatric surgery and otorhinolaryngology is stenosis of the upper respiratory tract in children. Among many causes leading to airway narrowing , basic ones are: cicatricial stenosis, bilateral vocal cord paralysis and volumetric formations.Diagnostics. Currently, fibroscopy of the upper respiratory tract is a gold standard of this pathology examination.Methods. There are many surgical techniques to treat upper airway stenosis, but currently there is no any unified approach to the choice of surgical tactics. The given article presents an overview on modern techniques of reconstructive surgery which have demonstrated good and excellent results and a high percentage of decannulation. Among them, there are two basic ones - endoluminal surgery and open surgery. Recently, reports on the effectiveness of microsurgical interventions have been published , namely, reinnervation of the larynx to restore vocal cords. The most effective endoscopic surgeries in pediatrics are balloon dilation, bougienage and CO2- laser treatment. Patients with stenosis of stages III-IV, with extended stenosis, marked laryngomalacia, larynx and trachea deformity because of unsuccessful previous surgeries are recommended to have open reconstructive surgery. Laryngoplasty, laryngoplasty with T-tube and crico-tracheal resection are regarded as a choice option in case of ineffective previous surgeries.Conclusion. Thus, type of surgical intervention, indications and patient’s age for surgery are chosen individually for each patient with upper respiratory tract stenosis.

Experimental Evaluation of the Optimal Suture Pattern With a Flexible Endoscopic Suturing System

Background. The ability to perform reliable, secure endoluminal closure of the gastrointestinal tract wall, is a prerequisite to support the progress of the emerging field of endoluminal surgery. Along with advanced clipping systems, flexible endoscopic suturing devices are commercially available. Current systems can replicate traditional surgical suturing patterns in the endoluminal environment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the optimal endoluminal suturing technique using a flexible endoscopic suturing device. Materials and Methods. Procedures were performed on bench-top simulators containing 20 explanted porcine stomachs. A standardized 3-cm full-thickness incision was created on the anterior wall of each stomach using monopolar cautery. The gastrotomy was closed endoscopically using an over-the-scope suturing device (OverStitch, Apollo Endosurgery; Austin, TX). Three different techniques were used: single stitches, figure-of-8 pattern, and running suture. Material consumption and operation time were recorded and bursting pressure measurement of the closure was performed. Results. No statistically significant differences were identified in suturing time. Suturing time (minutes) was slightly shorter with the figure-of-8 technique (41.14 ± 4.6) versus interrupted (45.75 ± 1.1) versus continuous (51.44 ± 10.0), but the difference was not statistically significant. The number of sutures required was greater in the interrupted group. No significant difference was found in the burst pressure (mm Hg): figure-of-8 (45.85 ± 26.2) versus interrupted (30.5 ± 22.89) versus continuous (32.0 ± 26.5). In the figure-of-8 group, 85.5% of cases were leakproof above 30 mm Hg, while in the other groups only 50% of cases were so. Conclusion. A figure-of-8 suturing pattern seems to be the preferable suturing technique with the endoscopic suturing device.