Post-operative safety of pediatric supraglottoplasty: Is post-operative admission necessary?

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of adverse events in the first 48 h (acute) 14 days (subacute) in post supraglottoplasty pediatric patients. A secondary aim was to determine if postoperative hospital admission after supraglottoplasty in pediatric patients is necessary.

METHODS

This study was a retrospective review of pediatric patients who underwent supraglottoplasty at a tertiary care center. Data were obtained from January 2017-December 2020, totaling 107 patients. Pediatric patients who underwent supraglottoplasty were included in the study. Information regarding patients' demographics, length of postoperative hospital stay, comorbid conditions, unit of hospital admission, intraoperative and postoperative adverse events, and readmission within the first 14 days was gathered and analyzed.

RESULTS

The incidence of postoperative adverse events for all subjects after supraglottoplasty was 5.7 % (N = 6). The most common postoperative complications were respiratory distress (N = 2), followed by substernal retractions, stridor, and decreased oral intake (N = 1). There was no statistically significant increased incidence in any group of patients, regardless of their unit of stay post-operatively (p = 0.39).

CONCLUSIONS

Supraglottoplasty is a safe surgical option for patients with severe laryngomalacia. While each patient's care is individualized, we demonstrate that post-operative hospital admission is not necessary for healthy children undergoing supraglottoplasty.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III - This is a retrospective chart review.