Meta-Analysis of Therapeutic Procedures for Acquired Subglottic Stenosis in Adults

Background Treatment for adult subglottic stenosis is technically demanding and no therapeutic algorithm exists. We performed the present meta-analysis of treatment for this condition in an attempt to compare efficacy on the basis of type of procedure. Methods We identified 24 eligible retrospective studies reporting the therapeutic results for inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis was performed by combining the results of the reported success rates; success is defined as a condition requiring no further treatment. The relative risk was used as a summary statistic. Results Pooled success rates of laryngotracheal resection and anastomosis (12 articles) and laryngoplasty with or without grafting (7 articles) were 95% and 76%, respectively, using a random-effects model. Success rates of endoscopic dilatation and laser resection (6 articles) varied between 40% and 82%. Meta-regression analysis showed a significant difference in the success rates between laryngotracheal reconstruction and laryngoplasty and between laryngotracheal reconstruction and an endoscopic procedure. When the indication for endoscopic management was a lesion size less than 1 cm, the results were significantly better. Conclusions The success rate of laryngotracheal reconstruction is significantly higher than that of laryngoplasty or endoscopic intervention; however, endoscopic intervention is worth trying for lesions smaller than 1 cm without framework destruction.