Advances in head and neck surgery in children

Advances in pediatric head and neck surgery in the past decade have been on broad fronts. The laser coupled with the microscope has become an invaluable tool in the management of laryngeal pathologic entities such as papilloma, cysts, hemangiomas, and granulation tissue secondary to endotracheal tube damage. Its use in the management of choanal stenosis is increasing. Improvements in radiation and combination chemotherapy have spectacularly increased the survival rates in rhabdomyosarcoma. Newer surgical procedures for correction of drooling are obtaining good results. Reconstructions of extensive laryngotracheal stenoses in children are being performed with considerable success. Better techniques are available for revision surgery of defects remaining after primary palatoplasty.