title: Endoscopic repair of laryngotracheoesophageal clefts: experience in 17 cases.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review the presentation and evaluation of laryngotracheoesophageal clefts as well as their treatment modalities, especially endoscopic closure.
  
  
  METHODS
  retrospective case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  All patients treated for laryngotracheoesophageal clefts in our clinic during the last 15 years were included. Analysis of preoperative data, surgical success and functional outcome was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 18 patients were included in our study. Cleft distribution was: type I (n=1), type II (n=3), type IIIa (n=5), type IIIb (n=8) and type IVa (n=1). All clefts were closed endoscopically by CO2 laser repair except for two patients who benfited from open surgery (one type I, one type IIIb). 7 of our 18 patients (39%) experienced a complication necessitating reoperation. Surgical treatment of LTEC allowed cessation of feeding tube assistance and artificial ventilation in 47% and 42% of patients respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Surgical treatement of laryngotracheoesophageal clefts remains a complex procedure with a high rate of morbidity for high grade clefts. Post-surgical difficulties in feeding and breathing are associated with concomitant congenital anomalies. Endoscopic repair is a successful technique for treating up to grade IIIa laryngeal clefts. Further investigation is needed to assess the best approach for treating longer clefts.
authors: Clinic of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland. Electronic address: crispinleishman@gmail.com.
authors: Crispin
authors: C
authors: Leishman
authors: Clinic of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors: Philippe
authors: P
authors: Monnier
authors: Clinic of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors: Yves
authors: Y
authors: Jaquet
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000601:surgery*; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007830:Larynx / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014132:Trachea / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Airway; Cleft; Endoscopy; Larynx; Repair; Surgery