To assess the role of laryngo-tracheo-bronchoscopy in children with obstructive sleep apnoea by identifying airway abnormalities at surgery, that occur separately or in addition to adenotonsillar hypertrophy, and examining the correlation with respiratory parameters.

A retrospective study was conducted of children with obstructive sleep apnoea who underwent laryngo-tracheo-bronchoscopy intra-operatively, performed by a single ENT surgeon from February 2016 to July 2019. Pre- and post-operative minimum oxygen saturation, apnoea-hypopnoea index, and oxygen desaturation index were recorded.

Sixty-five children were identified; 34 were aged less than three years and 31 were aged three years or more. 77 per cent and 13 per cent respectively had an airway abnormality; the t-test showed a significantly higher mean oxygen desaturation index and lower mean minimum oxygen saturation pre-operatively compared to children without an airway abnormality.

An update of the surgical pathway for children aged less than three years with obstructive sleep apnoea is required to include laryngo-tracheo-bronchoscopy intra-operatively. A t-test analysis of the pre-operative respiratory parameters suggests that airway abnormalities contribute to obstructive sleep apnoea severity.

Anterior cricoid split is performed for grade 2 and 3 subglottic stenosis, which can be a cause of extubation failure. It can be performed endoscopically or as an open procedure. This paper describes a case series of endoscopic cricoid split procedures performed using a bespoke sickle knife.

Nine patients (six pre-term infants) underwent endoscopic cricoid split in a tertiary referral paediatric unit between August 2012 and March 2015.

Six patients (67 per cent; four pre-term and two term infants) were on oxygen pre-operatively. Mean age at operation was 30 weeks (range, 11–104 weeks). Mean number of days’ intubation was 5.6 days (range, 4–9 days). All five patients intubated pre-operatively were extubated. Seven patients required repeat dilatations. One patient required tracheostomy.

The extubation rates for endoscopic cricoid split are comparable to the open procedure. It is a safe and efficient method for managing subglottic stenosis, whether acquired or congenital. The main advantage is the shorter operative time, in addition to the avoidance of an external scar and drain.