Severe airway narrowing successfully treated without tracheostomy
Doctors at KIMS Cuddles, Kondapur, successfully treated a 28-day-old infant who was critically ill with severe breathing difficulty caused by airway narrowing. The team restored the baby’s airway through endoscopic balloon dilatation, helping the infant breathe normally without the need for a tracheostomy.
Infant Admitted in Critical Condition
The baby was brought to the hospital with severe respiratory distress, chest retractions and noisy breathing. The infant had been unable to breathe immediately after birth and required ventilator support for seven days. The baby had also received treatment for pneumonia, pulmonary hypertension and cardiac problems.
During an emergency attempt to secure the airway, doctors encountered significant difficulty in placing a breathing tube. Although a 3 or 3.5-size tube would normally be expected for an infant of this age, only a 2.5-size tube could be passed, indicating significant airway narrowing.
Doctors Restore the Airway
Further evaluation revealed Grade 2 subglottic stenosis, a narrowing of the airway just below the vocal cords.
According to the press release, the medical team performed endoscopic balloon dilatation using a specialised 6-mm balloon. Doctors carefully dilated the narrowed segment three times, following which the airway opened adequately and allowed air to pass freely.
Successful Recovery Without Tracheostomy
“Treating such a young infant was particularly challenging because of the extremely small airway, the baby’s age and the presence of other medical problems. Our objective was to restore the airway while avoiding a tracheostomy,” said Dr Priyanka Valluri, Consultant ENT Surgeon.
The infant was subsequently monitored by Dr Aparna, Regional Director, Neonatology – Academics and Research, KIMS Cuddles (Telangana), and Head of Department, Neonatology, KIMS Cuddles, Kondapur, along with Dr Vishwanath Nandyala, Consultant Neonatologist and Paediatrician. The baby made a good recovery and was discharged after stabilisation.
The successful treatment highlights how timely intervention and coordinated multidisciplinary care can help manage complex neonatal airway conditions while avoiding more invasive procedures such as tracheostomy.