KIMS Cuddles doctors save 28-day-old infant from tracheostomy with balloon procedure

Doctors at KIMS Cuddles, Kondapur, successfully treated a 28-day-old infant with severe airway narrowing caused by Grade 2 subglottic stenosis. An endoscopic balloon dilatation procedure opened the airway, enabling the baby to breathe normally without requiring a tracheostomy

Hyderabad: Doctors at KIMS Cuddles, Kondapur, treated a 28-day-old infant who was critically ill with severe breathing difficulty caused by narrowing of the airway, helping the baby breathe normally without needing a tracheostomy.

The infant was brought to the hospital with severe respiratory distress, chest retractions and noisy breathing. The infant could not breathe immediately after birth and required ventilator support for seven days. Evaluation in the operation theatre revealed Grade 2 subglottic stenosis, a narrowing of the airway just below the vocal cords and the team performed endoscopic balloon dilatation to open the narrowed airway.

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A specialised 6-mm balloon was used to dilate the stenotic segment. The procedure was performed three times using a controlled technique, following which the airway opened adequately and air could pass freely, said Dr. Priyanka Valluri, ENT Surgeon.