Center for Pediatric Airway Disorders
The Center for Pediatric Airway Disorders at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia is staffed by internationally recognized leaders in the diagnosis and treatment of airway disorders in children. Our diverse staff of experts provides highly specialized care for children with a wide variety of congenital or acquired airway defects. Our philosophy is provide you with the most comprehensive information about your child's conditions so you can make the best possible decisions regarding treatment.
About our services
Under the direction of four experienced, board certified surgeons — Ian Jacobs, MD, Karen Zur, MD, Steven Sobol, MD, MSc, FRCS(C) and Luv Javia, MD — the pediatric airway disorders team cares for a variety of congenital and acquired conditions. They specialize in complex airway surgeries in addition to more common ENT surgeries. Each surgeon runs a clinic at CHOP Main Campus devoted to children with airway conditions.
Children we treat
The airway team cares for children with a variety of conditions, including congenital airway defects, airway problems due to trauma or lengthy intubation, voice disorders, swallowing disorders, and long-term tracheostomy management. The team also offers expertise in the evaluation of and surgical interventions for possible decannulation. Learn about the airway conditions we treat »
Evaluation and diagnosis
At the Center for Pediatric Airway Disorders, your child will be evaluated by a highly skilled, experienced staff which includes surgeons, a physician assistant, nurse practitioners, as well as experts in speech, swallowing and respiratory therapy. This multidisciplinary team includes pulmonologists and gastroenterologists who collaborate to develop your child's care plan. The airway team can also work with other specialists throughout the hospital as needed, depending on your child's case. Meet the airway team »
Airway surgery
Surgeons in the Center for Pediatric Airway Disorders perform both complex and common airway and ENT surgeries. They are among a select group nationwide that perform state-of-the-art airway reconstructive procedures including laryngotracheal reconstruction, cricotracheal resection, laryngotracheal cleft repair, laryngeal nerve re-innervation and slide tracheoplasty. CHOP airway surgeons also specialize in endoscopic surgery, laser surgery, nasal surgery, tracheostomy, tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy and ear surgery.
Care for children with tracheostomies
The airway team also specializes in the care of children with long-term tracheostomies. These children are followed regularly to ensure proper tracheostomy tube size and fit, and help manage potential complications from having a long-term artificial airway. For those children whose conditions resolve, the team is here to support the decannulation process.
Why choose us
The Center for Pediatric Airway Disorders is the only one of its kind in the Greater Philadelphia region. But as part of one of the top-ranked and largest children’s hospitals in the U.S., we have cared for children from all over the country and beyond. Families come here from around the globe to benefit from:
- Our experience. The airway team has treated some of the most complex airway disorders in the world. We are uniquely qualified to care for the most complex cases due to the depth and breadth of our experience.
- Our team approach. A multidisciplinary, coordinated approach to care, bridging many specialties, makes it possible to meet the complex needs of the children who come to the Center.
- Our commitment to the whole family. We specialize in family-centered care, providing many amenities and avenues of support for families of children with airway disorders, and keeping the family closely involved in the care plan.
- Our focus on research. Through innovation and research, we are changing the course of treatment for many children with airway anomalies. Current research focuses include 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 more.
Contact Us
- 215-590-3440
- When calling, choose option 2, then option 2 again to reach the Airway team. Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. EST Monday through Friday.
- Contact Us Online
