Saharanpur: In a critical and high-risk case, doctors at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Dehradun, successfully treated a 2-month-old infant suffering from severe respiratory distress since birth. The primary cause was a rare airway obstruction that happens due to abnormalties.
Soon after birth, the baby girl required intubation and advanced ventilatory support due to pneumothorax (air leakage in the chest cavity). After nearly a month of treatment at a private facility, the parents brought the baby to Max Super Speciality Hospital, Dehradun for further expert management. The baby was brought in a critical condition with a history of severe respiratory distress. The baby continued to experience recurrent episodes of pneumonia, which was managed with appropriate antibiotics and supportive care.
Given the complexity of the condition, a multidisciplinary team comprising Dr. Rohit Srivastav, Principal Consultant – Paediatrics, Dr. Vaibhav Chachra, Principal Consultant – Pulmonology, and Dr. Iram Khan, Senior Consultant – ENT, at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Dehradun was involved in the treatment.
Detailed evaluation revealed significant laryngeal oedema (severe swelling in the voice box) along with difficulty in weaning the infant off ventilator support (failed extubation). Diagnosis indicated the presence of a cyst near the laryngeal region contributing to airway obstruction. The cyst was effectively managed using a coblation technique, allowing precise removal with minimal tissue damage.
Speaking on the case, Dr. Rohit Srivastav, Principal Consultant – Paediatrics, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Dehradun, said, “The infant had a highly complicated clinical course, including septic shock and recurrent pneumonia. With continuous monitoring, timely interventions, and coordinated care, we were able to stabilize the baby and support recovery.”
Dr. Iram Khan, Senior Consultant – ENT, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Dehradun, further said, “This was a highly complex airway obstruction case in an infant who was already intubated on arrival. Due to the significant laryngeal oedema involving the vocal cords, immediate airway management was extremely critical. On further detailed airway evaluation, a cyst in voice box arising from the epiglottis was identified as the underlying cause of obstruction. The surgical challenge in such cases lies in the extremely small airway—often just a few millimetres—requiring exceptional precision and control. Performing such delicate surgery in an infant of this age is particularly demanding, given the limited working space and fragile anatomy. A meticulous surgical approach was essential to ensure a safe and successful outcome.”
Dr. Vaibhav Chachra, Principal Consultant – Pulmonology, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Dehradun, said, “The infant had a prolonged and complicated respiratory course, including ventilator dependency and recurrent pneumonia. Identifying the underlying airway obstruction was critical, as continued ventilator support alone would not have resolved the issue. She required neonatal bronchoscopy. Max Hospital has been a pioneer in the state in offering such a state-of-the-art facility, which helped guide the treatment. A timely multidisciplinary approach enabled us to stabilise the baby and prevent further life-threatening complications.”
Following the procedure, the infant showed gradual improvement and was discharged with a breathing tube in the neck (tracheostomy) to support normal breathing. With regular follow-up and dedicated care by the medical team, the baby showed remarkable recovery with no major complications.
This case highlights the importance of early diagnosis, timely intervention, and multidisciplinary care in managing complex airway conditions in infants, significantly improving survival and long-term outcomes.
