Endoscopic balloon dilation for subglottic or tracheal stenosis

NICE did a rapid review of the published literature on the efficacy and safety of this procedure. This comprised a comprehensive literature search and detailed review of the evidence from 13 sources, which was discussed by the committee. The evidence included 1 registry study, 1 systematic review and meta-analysis, 1 systematic review, 1 cohort study, 5 case series, 3 case reports, and 1 database analysis. It is presented in the summary of key evidence section in the interventional procedures overview. Other relevant literature is in the appendix of the overview.

The professional experts and the committee considered the key efficacy outcomes to be: improved quality of life, increase in tracheal diameter, reduction in need for further surgery, and permanent tracheostomy decannulation.

The professional experts and the committee considered the key safety outcomes to be: tracheal laceration, oedema, and bleeding.

Patient commentary was sought but none was received.

The committee noted that most of the data it reviewed came from babies, children, and young people.

The committee encourages data entry to a registry for this procedure to collect long term outcomes.