الفهرس 
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Abstract
Subglottic stenosis is a challenging clinical problem that has a complex etiology. Since sixties, the incidence of pediatric subglottic stenosis increased due to the increased use of endotracheal tubes in the neonates. As advances in neonatology resulted in increase the survival rate of premature infants, the number of infants requiring prolonged periods of endotracheal intubation increased, and the incidence of acquired subglottic stenosis increased concomitantly.
The most common cause of subglottic stenosis is post-endotracheal intubation. Other causes include congenital, acquired and idiopathic causes.
Myer et al. 1994 reported grading system for grading SGS according to the percentage of lumen obstruction measured by endotracheal tube size:
Grade I: up to 50% obstruction.
Grade II: from 51% to 70% obstruction.
Grade III: above 70% with any detectable lumen.
Grade IV: no detectable lumen.
Diagnosis of subglottic stenosis is based on good history taking and physical examination. Further investigations are then required as radiological studies, endoscopic evaluation, pulmonary function assessment and gastroesophageal reflux evaluation.
Many endoscopic techniques were described as the endoscopic dilatation either by the use of the conventional balloon dilatation or recently by the use of the cutting balloon. Also, the use of CO2 laser ablation of the stenosis by either micro-trapdoor technique or radial incision and dilatation using CO2 laser technique. The stenotic lesions most amenable to this technique are early stage lesions, and mature lesions with short segments of intraluminal fibrosis but with no involvement of the cartilaginous skeleton. Also, topical mitomycin C has been recently used as it is an antibiotic that has both antineoplastic and antiproliferative properties inhibiting the fibroblast activity and suppressing the scar formation. The success rate of the endoscopic measures is increasing.