Problems in Postoperative Management After Anterior Cricoid Split

Objective: Describe complications and postoperative management problems associated with the anterior cricoid split. Design: Retrospective case series. Setting: Urban referral hospital. Patients: Nine consecutive patients with acquired subglottic stenosis believed amenable to the anterior cricoid split. Intervention: The anterior cricoid split was performed on 10 occasions between June 1989 and June 1992. Main Outcome Measure: Extubation or decannulation. Results: Six of nine patients underwent decannulation, with success. Management problems included those related to surgery or postoperative endotracheal stenting, preexisting medical conditions, and postoperative sedation requirement. Conclusions: The number of postoperative complications and management problems was highest in those patients with both bronchopulmonary dysplasia and preexisting tracheotomy.