Pediatric Airway Disorders

Airway Disorders and Reconstruction

Our team provides expert care for children with complex airway disorders.
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Center for Pediatric Airway Disorders

The Center for Pediatric Airway Disorders at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia is an internationally recognized leader in the diagnosis and treatment of airway disorders in children. We excel at providing highly specialized care for children with a wide variety of congenital or acquired airway defects. Our multidisciplinary team works closely with many other specialists at our hospital to meet the complex needs that some of these children have. We specialize in family centered care, providing many amenities and avenues of support for families. Our goal is to make your child and you breathe easier.

About Our Services

From the moment you contact our program, we are here for you and your child. Having a child with an airway problem can be overwhelming and frightening. We are determined to help you find the best possible care for your child, whether you live in the Philadelphia region or are traveling from far away.

Our team has treated some of the most complex airway disorders in the world. Through innovation and research, we are changing the course of treatment of many children with airway anomalies. As one of the top-ranked and largest children’s hospitals in the US, we have cared for children from all over the country and beyond. We are uniquely qualified because of the depth and breadth of our experience.

Our philosophy of care is to provide you with the most comprehensive, up-to-date medical information to help you make the best possible decisions regarding your child’s health. Our Center’s hallmark is its coordinated, multidisciplinary approach. Whether you are coming to us for a second opinion or for treatment, we want what’s best for your child and your family.

Unique in the region

Our Center is the only one of its kind in the Greater Philadelphia region. Under the direction of Dr. Ian Jacobs, the team sees a variety of conditions including subglottic stenosis, congenital airway disorders and swallowing disorders. We also specialize in the care of children with long-term tracheotomies.

A team of specialists with a single focus — airway disorders

Our Center's hallmark is its coordinated, multidisciplinary approach. When your child comes to us for care, he will be evaluated by our staff of highly skilled and experienced surgeons and airway nurse practitioners, as well as experts in speech, swallowing and respiratory therapy. Together, we will develop your child's care plan and provide any support he needs. Our team will also consult with Children's Hospital specialists in the fields of pulmonology, gastroenterology and critical care when your child's care requires it.

Leading the way in airway surgery

If surgery is necessary, your child will benefit from our familiarity with the latest, cutting edge techniques. Our surgeons are among a select group nationwide that perform state-of-the-art airway reconstructive procedures including laryngotracheoplasty (enlargement of the airway using cartilage) and partial cricotracheal resection (removal of the scarred portion of the airway). They also perform other airway procedures such as endoscopic surgery, laser surgery, nasal surgery, tracheotomy, tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy.

Research — finding answers, helping children

Research helps us to better understand the origins of airway disorders, and leads to new and better treatments. Current Airway Center research projects include study of the outcomes of standard reconstructive approaches, the genetics of congenital airway lesions, the role of growth factors with subglottic stenosis and airway healing, voice evaluation in children after laryngotracheal reconstruction (LTR), and evaluation of outcomes of congenital versus acquired airway lesions.

For more information

We welcome the opportunity to discuss your child's needs. For more information or to request an appointment, please call us at 215-590-3440. Center hours are available on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month at the Main Campus of Children's Hospital in Philadelphia.

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Contact Us

  • 215-590-3440
  • When calling, choose option 2, then option 2 again to reach Airway Disorders. Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. EST Monday through Friday.
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Pulmonology at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia was rated the best in the nation, according to U.S.News & World Report’s 2011-12 survey of Best Children’s Hospitals. Learn more »

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