title: Epiglottopexy for the treatment of severe laryngomalacia.
abstract: Laryngomalacia is the most common cause of stridor in newborns and infants. Up until now, different surgical techniques for the treatment of this disease have been described. We report on a modified technique, the so called epiglottopexy, which is a laser-surgical treatment strategy in severe laryngomalacia. A total number of six children (ages: 6 weeks-10.4 years) were treated for life-threatening stridor, which was due to an isolated posterior displacement of the epiglottis during inspiration. In two patients, shortened aryepiglottic folds contributed to the stridor. In all of the children, a modified technique of epiglottopexy was performed transorally; in two cases, this was followed by laser surgical transection of the aryepiglottic folds. Epiglottopexy on the base of the tongue was performed using single suture stitches following laser-surgical vaporization of the corresponding mucosal areas of the epiglottis and the base of the tongue. No intra- or postoperative complications were observed. All six children demonstrated significant airway improvement without any further stridor. Deglutation was not impaired. The presented laser-surgical technique seems to be an appropriate therapy for treatment of severe forms of laryngomalacia characterized by an isolated posterior displacement of the epiglottis during inspiration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Philipps University, Deutschhausstrasse 3, 35037 Marburg, Germany. j.a.werner@mailer.uni-marburg.de
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Werner
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Lippert
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Dünne
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ankermann
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Folz
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Seyberth
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D004825:Epiglottis / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007818:Laryngeal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D012135:Respiratory Sounds / Q000209:etiology