Laryngotracheal reconstruction surgery

Overview

Laryngotracheal (luh-ring-go-TRAY-key-ul) reconstruction surgery widens your windpipe (trachea) to make breathing easier. Laryngotracheal reconstruction involves inserting a small piece of cartilage — stiff connective tissue found in many areas of your body — into the narrowed section of the windpipe.

Children most commonly experience problems with a narrowed windpipe. It can occur for many reasons, including injury, infection, stomach acid reflux, a birth defect or the result of the insertion of a breathing tube. An adult's windpipe can become narrowed for the same reasons, but the cause may also be a disease that causes blood vessel or tissue inflammation, such as Wegener's granulomatosis or sarcoidosis.

The goal of laryngotracheal reconstruction is to provide a safe and stable airway without the use of assistance from a breathing tube.

Why choose Mayo Clinic

• Experience. Mayo Clinic is one of a handful of medical centers in the United States with significant experience performing laryngotracheal reconstruction surgery in children. Mayo Clinic also performs the procedure in adults.
• Proven success. Often your child can be weaned from tracheostomy tubes (decannulation) after a single operation.
• Team approach. Many conditions can affect breathing problems. Mayo Clinic specialists in ear, nose and throat (ENT), pulmonary medicine, digestive diseases, sleep medicine and other areas work together to evaluate all aspects of the condition, recommend a solution and begin treatment in a timely and coordinated way. Surgery is done by a team of experienced staff surgeons.
• Latest technology. Mayo Clinic offers leading-edge voice and swallowing exams to evaluate breathing and related problems and minimally invasive endoscopic treatment options.
• Genetic counseling. Mayo Clinic has successfully treated children with Down syndrome and other genetic disorders who are at risk of airway problems. Mayo Clinic's Department of Medical Genetics can help identify conditions or syndromes that may affect surgery, the outcome of surgery and the long-term prognosis for your child.
• Child centered. Mayo Clinic's Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine provides care in a comfortable and caring environment specifically designed for the needs of children and partners with you and your child in treatment and recovery.
• Comprehensive follow-up care. The Mayo Clinic care team closely monitors post-surgery healing and offers many services to assist your or your child's recovery, including speech and language pathologists who help with speaking and swallowing.

Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., is ranked among the Best Hospitals for ear, nose and throat by U.S. News & World Report. Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Ariz., is ranked high performing for ear, nose and throat by U.S. News & World Report.

Mayo Clinic: Answers you can trust

At Mayo Clinic, we assemble a team of specialists who take the time to listen and thoroughly understand your health issues and concerns. We tailor the care you receive to your personal health care needs. You can trust our specialists to collaborate and offer you the best possible outcomes, safety and service.

Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit medical institution that reinvests all earnings into improving medical practice, research and education. We're constantly involved in innovation and medical research, finding solutions to improve your care and quality of life. Your doctor or someone on your medical team is likely involved in research related to your condition.

Our patients tell us that the quality of their interactions, our attention to detail and the efficiency of their visits mean health care — and trusted answers — like they've never experienced.

Why Choose Mayo Clinic
What Sets Mayo Clinic Apart