Cleft Larynx: A Report of Seven Cases

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to familiarize the otolaryngologist with a difficult and frequently missed anomaly. It is hoped that this will increase the number of successfully managed patients with this affliction. Of the seven herein reported cases, four were posterior clefts limited to the cricoid lamina. Three were more extensive laryngotracheoesophageal clefts. Seven cases are thus added to the approximately 30 cases reported in the world literature. The limited cricoid lamina defect can only be diagnosed by endoscopic examination, and is treated medically. Feedings must be given by gastrostomy only. A tracheotomy is indicated only when oral secretions are aspirated into the tracheobronchial tree. The more extensive laryngotracheoesophageal cleft requires surgical repair through a lateral pharyngotomy approach. When the cleft is extensive and extends into the chest, surgery must include a thoracic approach. The occurrence of cleft larynx in association with tracheoesophageal fistulae, with or without atresia, may be more frequent than generally realized. A search should be made for this anomaly in patients who aspirate after atresia repair has been accomplished, before attributing this symptom to severe stricture formation, or recurrence of the fistula. The problem of aspiration in posterior cleft larynx is due to the lateral and posterior displacement of the arytenoids. This malposition is due to the absence or deficiency of the interarytenoidius muscle so that the posticus muscle is unopposed. The term “posterior cleft larynx” should be used only where the defect is limited to the cricoid lamina, while laryngotracheoesophageal cleft should be applied to the more extensive defect.