Laryngotracheal separation in an infant with severe dysgenesis of the larynx

Abstract

Objectives/hypothesis: We describe management of an infant with chronic aspiration as a result of severe and rarely described laryngeal dysgenesis.

Results: A neonate with severe maldevelopment of the laryngeal structures required tracheostomy for respiratory distress on day-of-life 1, but the patient continued to have aspiration pneumonias. After failing to improve with conservative measures, the infant underwent laryngotracheal separation (LTS), which was successful in preventing aspiration. The patient has had no further pneumonias.

Conclusions: The presented case illustrates that LTS may be considered a safe and effective initial treatment option for chronic aspiration in select infants with severe dysgenesis of the larynx.

Keywords: Laryngeal development; congenital laryngeal anomaly; neonatal aspiration; surgical management of aspiration.