Pediatric Airway Disorders

Airway Disorders and Reconstruction

Our team provides expert care for children with complex airway disorders.
Watch the video»

Danger of Lithium Batteries

Button Battery Ingestions: How Dangerous Is It in Kids? - Commentary by Dr. Ian Jacobs from the Center for Pediatric Airway Disorders at CHOP
Medscape News Today, Nov. 28, 2011

Visit the Kohl's Injury Prevention website to learn about the danger of lithium batteries»

Center for Pediatric Airway Disorders

Children, especially those born prematurely, may have problems with their airway (air passages) that affect their breathing. Some may have problems with blockages of the larynx (voice box), trachea (windpipe) or throat, while others may have difficulty swallowing. The Center for Pediatric Airway Disorders helps these children by managing their complex airway or swallowing problems.

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.

  • Print
  • Share

Contact Us

#1 in Pulmonology

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 »

Our Locations