SSLTP is a surgery done to make the airway larger by placing a graft in the area that is narrowed. Most grafts are made of ear cartilage, thyroid cartilage or rib cartilage. The ENT doctor (ear, nose and throat) will decide what type of graft is best for your child.
The ENT doctor will also decide where to place the graft: in the front of the airway (anterior), the back of the airway (posterior), or both, in order to make the airway larger.
The main surgery is followed by a series of scopes (or microlaryngoscopy and bronchoscopy or ML&B) in the operating room to check the airway for healing.
If your child has a tracheotomy tube, it will come out during the surgery and the hole (or stoma) will be closed.
There will be a cut in the neck where the surgery was done. A small drain will be in the neck to allow fluid and air to drain after the surgery. If rib cartilage is used, there will be a small cut on the chest and a drain will be in place after the surgery. The ENT doctor will decide how long the drains will remain in place.
A breathing tube will be in place through the nose after the surgery. The breathing tube holds the airway and graft in place while it heals so it does not shrink back down. The ENT doctor will decide how long the breathing tube needs to stay in place.
