title: Partial cricotracheal resection for successful reversal of laryngotracheal separation in patients with chronic aspiration.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To present our experience with successful reversal of laryngotracheal separation in patients with chronic aspiration, to discuss our surgical technique, and to review the literature.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective case review.
  
  
  METHODS
  The medical records of two patients who underwent a successful reversal of laryngotracheal reversal after separation were reviewed. The two patients were evaluated clinically with videostroboscopy and videofluoroscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both patients presented with intractable aspiration despite protective tracheostomy because of impairment of lower cranial nerve function. After laryngotracheal separation, swallowing rehabilitation was safely possible, and neurologic improvement allowed reversal of the separation procedure. For reversal, we present the use of a partial cricotracheal resection with tracheocricothyropexia similar to the technique used for subglottic stenosis. Both patients were successfully reversed. Satisfactory voice and swallowing function 7 and 10 years after reversal, respectively, could be assessed through our evaluation. Review of the literature revealed a total of 13 cases of successful reversal after laryngotracheal separation. Technical details of surgery and functional results are rarely reported.
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hricko
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Storck
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schmid
authors.forename: Sandro J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Stoeckli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003413:Cricoid Cartilage / Q000294:innervation / Q000601:surgery*; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007828:Laryngoscopy / Q000379:methods; D007830:Larynx / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013517:Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D011015:Pneumonia, Aspiration / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014132:Trachea / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D014139:Tracheostomy / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome