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Swallowing function after laryngeal cleft repair: More than just fixing the cleft
Author(s) -
Osborn Alexander J.,
Alarcon Alessandro,
Tabangin Meredith E.,
Miller Claire K.,
Cotton Robin T.,
Rutter Michael J.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1002/lary.24643
Subject(s) - swallowing , medicine , dysphagia , interquartile range , concomitant , otorhinolaryngology , larynx , retrospective cohort study , surgery , pediatrics
Objectives/Hypothesis To evaluate and describe the swallowing function in children after laryngeal cleft repair. Study Design Ten‐year (2002–2012) retrospective chart review. Setting: Academic tertiary care pediatric otolaryngology practice. Methods Records of 60 children who had surgical repair of laryngeal cleft (ages 2 weeks–14 years) and postoperative functional endoscopic evaluation of swallowing or videofluoroscopic swallow studies were examined retrospectively. Results Twenty‐nine children had one postoperative swallow evaluation, 19 children had two, 4 children had three, 5 children had four, and 3 children had five. Median time to the first evaluation was 10.8 weeks (interquartile range [IQR]: 36.5, 231). On the final swallow evaluation, 34 (57%) children demonstrated normal swallowing parameters, 12 (20%) children showed penetration, and 14 (23%) children showed aspiration. Forty‐three (72%) children were able to take everything by mouth normally or with minor behavioral modifications, 11 (18%) children required thickened fluids, and six (10%) children were kept nil per os (NPO). Mean improvement on the penetration‐aspiration (pen‐asp) scale was 2.13. On multivariable analysis, neurodevelopmental issues and gastronomy tube use were associated with the need for NPO status. Conclusion Despite a high rate of surgical success, a substantial minority of children have persistent swallowing dysfunction after laryngeal cleft repair. Swallowing dysfunction after repair is multifactorial and arises from concomitant neurologic, anatomic, or other comorbidities that contribute to oropharyngeal and pharyngeal dysphagia. Based on our results, we recommend a testing schedule for postoperative swallowing evaluations after cleft repair. Level of Evidence 4. Laryngoscope , 124:1965–1969, 2014