Congenital pharyngeal webs: Treatment of a rare clinical entity by endoscopic CO 2 laser approach.

IMPORTANCE: Oesophageal inlet stenosis can promote dysphagia and aspiration. We report the cases of syndromic children with congenital pharyngeal webs successfully treated with endoscopic CO2 laser.

OBSERVATIONS: Pharyngeal webs were excised with CO2 laser (Ultrapulse mode) and resurfaced using mucosal advancement flaps to avoid restenosis and/or formation of secondary synechia. This led to a significant enlargement of the oesophageal inlet, which was documented immediately postoperatively and the clinical improvement of dysphagia and decreased aspiration persisted at distant follow-up.

CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE: Pharyngeal webs are congenital anomalies that can be safely and effectively corrected with endoscopic treatment.