title: Anterior laryngofissure approach in type III laryngotracheal cleft: a case report.
abstract: Laryngeal and laryngotracheal clefts are rare congenital malformations of the laryngobronchial tree. Their symptoms vary from mild cough to life threatening pulmonary aspiration and cyanosis. Type I and II clefts can be observed without surgical intervention, whereas type III and IV clefts usually require an anterior or lateral cervical approach. We present a case of type III laryngotracheal cleft seen in a 3-monthold male infant who died during revision surgery after an anterior laryngofissure approach. We discuss the difficulties in diagnosis, management and importance of anaesthesia for these rare anomalies in light of the current literature.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Intensive Care, Faculty of Medicine, University of Mersin, Turkey.
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Arslankoylu
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Mersin, Turkey.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Unal
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Infectious diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of Mersin, Turkey.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kuyucu
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Mersin, Turkey.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ismi
mesh_terms: D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple / Q000601:surgery; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000145:classification / Q000601:surgery*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007830:Larynx / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D013517:Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D014132:Trachea / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery*
keywords: Laryngeal cleft; Laryngofissure; Laryngotracheal cleft; Larynx; Mortality