Pediatric Airway Clinic

The Pediatric Airway Clinic at Children's Hospital was developed as a regional referral center for the management of children with difficult problems related to airway. These patients frequently have multiple medical problems and their care involves numerous pediatric subspecialists. Primary participants in the multidisciplinary environment of the airway clinic include the pediatric otolaryngologist, the airway management nurse and a speech pathologist. In addition, pediatric gastroenterologists, pulmonologists and anesthesiologists are available for immediate consultation.

In an 18-month study of 190 patients at Children's Hospital from July 1, 1993, to December 31, 1994, the most common primary and secondary diagnoses in the airway clinic were:

• Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis
• Laryngomalacia
• Vocal cord paralysis, unilateral or bilateral
• Subglottic stenosis
• Various craniofacial syndromes

Of the total 190 patients followed during this 18-month period, 56 had a tracheotomy placed. Analyzed as a separate subgroup, these patients presenting primary and secondary diagnoses were:

• Subglottic stenosis
• Vocal cord paralysis
• Craniofacial syndrome
• Juvenile respiratory papillomatosis
• Chronic bronchopulmonary dysplasia
• Obstructive sleep apnea