Vocal cord reconstruction to treat aspiration caused by a post-intubation posterior glottic furrow

Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2012 Nov;76(11):1688-90. doi: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2012.07.023. Epub 2012 Aug 9.

Abstract

Objective: To present the case of a premature child with a furrow in the posterior vocal cord as a result of prolonged intubation, with symptoms of aspiration and poor voice, treated with a novel method of vocal cord reconstruction.

Methods: The vocal cord was reconstructed endoscopically by freeing up the edge of cord remnant and suturing this to a flap of inter-arytenoid mucosa to create a new cord.

Results: The resulting neo-cord was able to achieve full glottic closure with resolution of aspiration, and this was also accompanied by improvement in voice quality.

Conclusion: The described vocal cord reconstruction method proved to be a useful treatment for aspiration and poor voice caused by a post-intubation vocal cord furrow.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Arytenoid Cartilage / surgery
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant, Premature
  • Intubation, Intratracheal / adverse effects*
  • Laryngeal Diseases / etiology*
  • Laryngeal Diseases / surgery
  • Laryngeal Mucosa / transplantation
  • Male
  • Respiratory Aspiration / complications*
  • Respiratory Aspiration / etiology
  • Respiratory Aspiration / surgery
  • Vocal Cords / surgery*
  • Voice Disorders / etiology
  • Voice Disorders / surgery