A novel use of coblation in the treatment of subglottic stenosis

Bipolar radiofrequency plasma ablation (Coblation) technology has recently been described in the treatment of airway stenosis. In these small case series and case reports, the mucosal and submucosal tissues have been removed. We describe a novel use of coblation technology, in which a coblation needle was used to submucosally ablate subglottic stenosis in a 9 month-old girl with grade II subglottic stenosis who had previously undergone multiple balloon dilations. This technique spared the overlying mucosa, similar to that utilized in coblation turbinoplasty. She experienced objective clinical improvement after the intervention and has not required additional airway interventions to date.