Tracheal Haemangioma – Prevention of Tracheostomy by Early Nd:YAG-Laser Treatment

Objective: Hemangioma is a well-recognized cause of airway obstruction in infants with stridor. In former times tracheostomy was the only way in treating these life-threatening hemangiomas of the trachea. Due, to the possibility to transmit laser light with flexible fibres to the trachea, an early treatment of airway hemangiomas became possible. Material& methods: We reviewed our experience with the use of laser therapy in treating airway hemangiomas. During the last eleven years (july 1996 until october 2007), 27 infants with airway hemangiomas underwent endoscopic Nd:YAG laser treatment. Results: All of the tw…