Laryngeal Cleft Repair – Formal Suture Technique

Laryngeal clefts are congenital anomalies characterized by an abnormal connection between the upper airway and esophagus due to incomplete fusion of the tracheaesophageal septum. These clefts can be mild, with just a deficiency of soft tissue in the interarytenoid space (Type 1) or can extend down into the cartilage of the cricoid (Type 2) as well as into the trachea (Type 3, 4). Presentation of laryngeal clefts is most often characterized by aspiration of thin liquids, recurrent respiratory infections, cough, respiratory distress, and cyanotic episodes.

Source: Operative Techniques in Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery - September 24, 2022 Category: ENT & OMF Authors: Alisa Timashpolsky, Steve E. Sobol Source Type: research