Andrew F. Inglis

Minor Congenital Laryngeal Clefts: Diagnosis and Classification

Cleft larynx is a rare congenital anomaly. Detection of an unsuspected minor cleft may be difficult, but the pediatric laryngologist should suspect the possibility of cleft larynx from the clinical features. Four minor clefts are reported, three cases of supraglottic interarytenoid cleft and one of partial cricoid cleft. The technique for endoscopic diagnosis and the distinctive features are described and a classification into four types is proposed.

Bacteriology of acute otitis media: a new perspective.

Pathogenic bacteria were isolated from 90% of patients with acute otitis media. This higher-than-expected rate of positive cultures was probably related to the meticulous bacteriologic techniques used.

Incidence and Prevalence of Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis among Children in Atlanta and Seattle

The incidence and prevalence of recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) for children aged <18 years were estimated in 2 US cities, Atlanta and Seattle, in 1996. All otolaryngologists in a 24-county area in metropolitan Atlanta (101 physicians) and an 8-county area in metropolitan Seattle (139 physicians) agreed to participate in the study. Medical record chart abstraction was performed only for children with documented current residence in the study area (21 patients in Atlanta and 14 patients in Seattle). The incidence rate for juvenile RRP was 1.11/100,000 population in Atlanta and 0.36/100, 000 in Seattle. The prevalence rate was 2.59/100,000 population in Atlanta and 1.69/100,000 in Seattle. In neither city did prevalences differ significantly when stratified by sex or race. Extrapolation of these estimates to the US population suggests that 80-1500 incident cases and 700-3000 prevalent cases of juvenile RRP will occur in the United States during 1999.

Lower complication rates associated with bronchial foreign bodies over the last 20 years.

A retrospective comparison of all endoscopic bronchial foreign body (BFB) removals performed at Childrens Hospital and Medical Center, Seattle, Washington, during two separate 5-year periods is reported. There were 54 patients between July 1, 1964, and June 30, 1969, and 119 patients between July 1, 1984, and June 30, 1989. Bronchoscopic removal of foreign bodies in the late cohort was performed almost exclusively with Hopkins telescope—guided foreign body graspers as opposed to traditional forceps guided by the naked eye in the first group. There were no differences in the average age, foreign body type, anesthetic technique, operative length, or anatomic distribution between cohorts. There were significantly fewer complications in the late cohort than the early. Complication rates increased with the duration of the BFB in situ. There were significantly fewer missed BFBs at initial bronchoscopy in the late cohort (4) than the early (10). Inability to endoscopically remove the BFB resulted in thoracotomy in 3 patients in the early cohort and 1 patient in the late cohort. There was one instance in which foreign body migration from right to left main stem occurred during the delay between diagnosis and operation, resulting in the necessity for emergent bronchoscopy with the patient in extremis. Prompt endoscopy in patients with suspected BFBs using the Hopkins rod bronchoscopic system will result in fewer complications and fewer missed foreign bodies.

Endoscopic Posterior Cricoid Split and Rib Grafting in 10 Children

Objective: To report our experience with endoscopic posterior cricoid split and rib graft insertion (EPCS/RG) in children with posterior glottic (PGS) and subglottic stenosis (SGS). Design: Retrospective analysis of case series, with 1 to 2 year follow‐up. Setting: Tertiary‐care pediatric referral center. Patients: Ten consecutive patients undergoing EPCS/RG. Intervention: EPCS/RG is a new procedure that expands the posterior glottic opening by dividing the posterior cricoid lamina endoscopically with a laser and inserting a rib cartilage graft through the laryngoscope. Main Outcome Measures: Laryngeal function and hospital stay. Results: Successful decannulation in two of two patients with PGS and one of five patients with PGS and SGS without further surgery. Of the four not initially decannulated, two were decannulated with adjunctive procedures, and the other two can now tolerate tracheostomy capping for extended periods of time. We achieved improvement in exercise tolerance in three nontracheotomy‐dependent patients. For those with established tracheotomies, median hospital stay was 3 days and intensive care unit care was unnecessary. There were no major complications or deterioration of voice or feeding. Conclusions: EPCS/RG appears to be safe and effective in the management of PGS in selected pediatric patients. This minimally invasive procedure has advantages over traditional open approaches and destructive endoscopic techniques (cordotomy and arytenoidectomy). The role of EPCS/RG alone in the face of severe grades of SGS appears to be limited.

Recurrent Thyroglossal Duct Cysts: A 23-Year Experience and a New Method for Management

Objectives: We present an experience in the management of primary and recurrent thyroglossal duct cysts (TGDCs) and describe a novel method for recurrent TGDC removal. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of TGDC surgery at Childrens Hospital in Seattle from 1980 to 2003. The surgical techniques for primary and recurrent TGDCs and the factors associated with TGDC recurrence were evaluated and analyzed. Results: During the study period, 231 patients underwent 296 TGDC surgeries. Thirty-four of the 231 patients (15%) underwent a total of 88 procedures for recurrent TGDCs. Successful procedures used for secondary TGDC management included central neck dissection with directed base of tongue (BOT) excision in 6 of 9 patients (67%), secondary Sistrunk operation with limited BOT resection in 12 of 27 patients (44%), revision Sistrunk operation with BOT dissection in 7 of 11 patients (64%), and suture-guided transhyoid pharyngotomy in 8 of 8 patients (100%). Ten of the 231 patients (4%) had initial TGDC incision and drainage and then underwent a total of 21 procedures, excluding the incision and drainage. The factors associated with TGDC recurrence were inaccurate initial diagnosis (17 of 34 or 50%), infection (5 of 34 or 15%), unusual TGDC presentation (5 of 34 or 15%), and lack of BOT musculature removal (7 of 34 or 20%). The level of surgeon training affected the surgical outcome. Conclusions: Successful TGDC treatment requires consideration of factors associated with recurrence. Recurrent TGDCs can be treated by several methods, including suture-guided transhyoid pharyngotomy.

Bilateral vocal cord paralysis in children.

Bilateral vocal cord paralysis in children with its many causes presents a challenging problem to the pediatric otolaryngologist. Traditionally, management of bilateral vocal cord paralysis includes securing the airway with a tracheotomy and waiting for spontaneous recovery. Surgeons have tried a variety of surgical procedures in lieu of or in addition to tracheotomy, but none are perfect solutions to the problem. This article reviews the current surgical procedures for bilateral vocal cord paralysis in the pediatric population with a particular focus on the senior authors experience with the endoscopic posterior costal cartilage grafting procedure.

A comparison of anterior cricoid split with and without costal cartilage graft for acquired subglottic stenosis

The use of the anterior cricoid split has allowed the extubation of multiple children who would otherwise require tracheostomy. Success, however, has been variable and difficult postoperative complications have occurred. Since 1981, 22 children at the Childrens Hospital and Medical Center in Seattle, Washington have failed extubation because of subglottic disease as defined previously by Cotton and Seid. Two approaches have been used in managing the extubation of these children, one employing the anterior cricoid split and one employing the anterior cricoid split with immediate tracheoplasty using costal cartilage grafting. Immediate costal cartilage grafting resulted in fewer complications and a higher success rate in extubating patients with acquired subglottic stenosis.

Endoscopic electrocauterization of pyriform fossa sinus tracts as definitive treatment.

OBJECTIVE To (1) update the technique of endoscopic electrocauterization of patients with pyriform fossa sinus tracts and (2) evaluate its effectiveness as a definitive treatment. METHODS Retrospective case series with nine patients (age range, 3.3-16.1 years) who were diagnosed with pyriform fossa sinus tracts between 2000 and 2007 at a single tertiary care childrens hospital and underwent endoscopic electrocauterization of the sinus tract. Data collected including age of diagnosis, presenting symptoms, time from presentation to diagnosis, diagnostic studies, prior and subsequent treatments, length of hospital stay, and recurrence, were reviewed and analyzed with descriptive statistics. RESULTS All nine patients presented with recurrent left or midline neck masses or abscesses. Seven patients (78%) had at least one previous incision and drainage procedures for abscess treatment. All patients had a computed tomography scan with findings suspicious for left-sided pyriform fossa sinus tract. The diagnosis was confirmed with laryngoscopy. For seven patients (78%), endoscopic electrocauterization was definitive treatment with no recurrences to date. Two patients (22%) had recurrent left neck abscesses after endoscopic treatment; these patients ultimately underwent excision of sinus tract with left thyroid lobectomy without complications or further recurrences. CONCLUSIONS Endoscopic electrocauterization of pyriform fossa sinus tracts is a safe and definitive treatment for most patients. We advocate this minimally invasive procedure as first line of treatment for pyriform fossa sinus tracts, reserving open excision with or without thyroid lobectomy for failures.

Repair of a laryngotracheoesophageal cleft in an infant by means of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Few survivors have been reported following attempted repair of laryngotracheoesophageal clefts (LTECs). The major challenge is maintaining oxygenation, both during the surgical repair and during the postoperative period of healing. We report a neonate with an LTEC extending to the carina whose successful repair was facilitated by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) begun intraoperatively and continued postoperatively for 11 days. The intraoperative surgical exposure of the defect was excellent. Postoperative trauma to the fresh tracheal repair from ventilatory pressures and endotracheal tube motion was eliminated through the use of ECMO. The patient was discharged without a tracheotomy and with a normal voice, cry, and swallow. According to this result, the use of ECMO may represent a significant advance in facilitating the correction of major laryngotracheoesophageal anomalies. The rationale, advantages, disadvantages, and potential pitfalls of this approach are presented, as well as preoperative and postoperative documentation of our results.