Outcome of management of subglottic stenosis Grade I, II (Cotton-mayer Grading System) using radiofrequency coblation.

Abstract

Objective: To find the outcome of management of subglottic stenosis Grade I and II (Cotton-Mayer grading system) using radiofrequency coblation. Study Design: Descriptive Case study. Setting: Lahore General Hospital, Lahore. Period: 08-02-25 to 07-05-25. Methods: Over three months we assessed the outcomes of radiofrequency coblation in managing Grade I and II subglottic stenosis (SGS). A total of 189 patients aged 20–60 years were selected. Inclusion was based on CT and endoscopic confirmation of Grade I (0–50%) or Grade II (51–70%) SGS. Patients with prior SGS surgery, pregnancy, or significant comorbidities were excluded. Voice outcomes were assessed using the Voice Handicap Index (VHI-30), and swallowing function was evaluated using the Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10). Results: Of 189 patients 53.4% were aged 41–60 years, and females made up 58.2% of the sample; Grade I stenosis was slightly more common than Grade II. Regarding treatment outcomes, only 10.6% required retreatment. The mean age was 40.22 years, with average VHI and EAT-10 scores of 19.10 and 5.12, respectively. Conclusion: Radiofrequency coblation is a safe and effective modality for managing Grade I and II subglottic stenosis. Radiofrequency coblation showed acceptable outcomes on voice and swallowing related quality of life. The lack of significant association between age, gender, or stenosis grade suggests consistent efficacy across patient subgroups.