Varying ENT practices in adult post-intubation laryngotracheal stenosis after the COVID epidemic in France: A CHERRIES analysis

Eur Ann Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Dis. 2024 May;141(3):133-137. doi: 10.1016/j.anorl.2024.02.008. Epub 2024 Feb 29.

Abstract

Aim: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic may increase the incidence of iatrogenic laryngotracheal stenosis (LTS), whereas management is not well defined. The aim of this study was to survey a panel of French otorhinolaryngologists about their practices and to evaluate their needs.

Method: A national-level survey of the management of iatrogenic LTS was conducted using a 41-item questionnaire, in 4 sections, sent to a panel of French otorhinolaryngologists between July and December 2022. The main endpoint was heterogeneity in responses between 55 proposals on LTS management.

Results: The response rate was 20% (52/263). The response heterogeneity rate was 69% (38/55). Heterogeneity concerned general questions on diagnosis (7/12, 58%) and management (7/10, 70%), LTS case management (22/27, 81%), and otorhinolaryngologists' expectations (33%, 2/6). Quality of training was considered good or excellent by only 21% of respondents. More than 80% were strongly in favor of creating national guidelines, expert centers and a national database.

Discussion: This study demonstrated the heterogeneity of adult post-intubation LTS management between otorhinolaryngologists in France. Training quality was deemed poor or mediocre by a majority of respondents. They were in favor of creating national guidelines and expert centers in LTS.

Keywords: Endotracheal intubation; Head and neck; Laryngotracheal stenosis; SARS-CoV-2.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • COVID-19* / epidemiology
  • France / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Iatrogenic Disease / epidemiology
  • Intubation, Intratracheal* / adverse effects
  • Intubation, Intratracheal* / statistics & numerical data
  • Laryngostenosis* / epidemiology
  • Laryngostenosis* / etiology
  • Otolaryngology
  • Practice Patterns, Physicians' / statistics & numerical data
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Tracheal Stenosis* / epidemiology
  • Tracheal Stenosis* / etiology