Surgical treatment of hypopharyngeal stenosis in children.

Five cases are presented of severe scarring, in the hypopharynx in children, which did not respond to conservative measures. These patients were treated by excision of the scar tissue and reconstitution of the area by Z-plasty, local mucosal flaps, regional chest flaps and colon transfer depending upon the severity of the problem. All had rehabilitation undertaken of the structural integrity of deglutive, respiratory, and vocal mechanisms. It is recommended that in this type of problem early rehabilitation is warranted rather than subjecting the child to prolonged gastrostomy and tracheotomy into puberty. When extended, the morbidity has a physical and psychological affect on these children.