Supraglottoplasty is a procedure primarily performed for the treatment of laryngomalacia. In this procedure, the obstructing tissue is removed or altered to provide a more stable and patent airway. When performing this surgery, we take special care to manage the child’s airway and remove the exact amount of tissue to improve breathing without compromising airway function.

After this procedure, your child will more than likely be required to stay in the ICU overnight. This is done primarily to watch your child closely after an airway procedure and almost always does not require an airway/ breathing tube to be in place. On very rare occasions your child may be placed in the ICU intubated to let their airway heal for the first 12-24 hours though this is rare.

Your child may sound worse or have some issues with feeding initially after the surgery and this can continue for up to 1-2 weeks. This is primarily secondary swelling and/ or getting used to improved breathing or feeding. This should resolve by 2 weeks.

If your child has severe respiratory issues post-operatively please return to hospital immediately.