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Outcomes of Injection Laryngoplasty for Deep Interarytenoid Groove* * Presented at the Annual Meeting of American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology, April 29, May 1, 2022, Dallas, Texas.

Abstract

Introduction

Deep interarytenoid groove (DIG) may cause swallowing dysfunction in children; however, the management of DIG has not been established.

Objective

We evaluated the subjective and objective outcomes of interarytenoid augmentation with injection in children with DIG.

Methods

Consecutive children under 18 years of age who underwent injection laryngoplasty for DIG were reviewed. Data pertaining to demographics, past medical history, past surgical history, and results of pre and postoperative video fluoroscopic swallow study (VFSS) were obtained. The primary outcome measure was the presence of thin liquid aspiration or penetration on postoperative VFSS. The secondary outcome measure was caregiver-reported improvement of symptoms.

Results

Twenty-seven patients had VFSS before and after interarytenoid augmentation with injection (IA). Twenty (70%) had thin liquid penetration and 12 (44%) had thin liquid aspiration before the IA. Thin liquid aspiration resolved in 9 children (45%) and persisted in 11 (55%). Of the 12 children who had thin liquid aspiration prior to IA, 6 (50%) had resolution of thin liquid aspiration after IA.

Conclusions

Injection laryngoplasty is a safe tool to improve swallowing function in children with DIG. Further studies are needed to assess the long-term outcomes of IA and identify predictors of successful IA in children with DIG.

Keywords
interarytenoid groove; injection laryngoplasty; children; dysphagia; endoscopic repair

Introduction

Laryngeal cleft is a rare congenital abnormality characterized by inadequate fusion of the interarytenoid tissue or cricoid cartilage.11 Cohen SR. Cleft larynx. A report of seven cases. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 1975;84(06):747–756,22 Lim TA, Spanier SS, Kohut RI. Laryngeal clefts: a histopathologic study andreview. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 1979;88(Pt 1):837–845,33 Holinger LD, Tansek KM, Tucker GF Jr. Cleft larynx with airway obstruction. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 1985;94(6 Pt 1):622–626 The Benjamin-Inglis classification system groups clefts into four types based on depth.44 Benjamin B, Inglis A. Minor congenital laryngeal clefts: diagnosis and classification. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 1989;98(06):417–420 Type I to type IV clefts represent increasingly severe communications extending from the interarytenoid region to the thoracic trachea. Palpation of the interarytenoid region is the gold standard to assess the extent of laryngeal cleft.

Type I laryngeal cleft is a supraglottic cleft that does not extend below the vocal folds.44 Benjamin B, Inglis A. Minor congenital laryngeal clefts: diagnosis and classification. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 1989;98(06):417–420,55 Berzofsky CE, LandoT, Ettema S, Nelson J, Woodson G. Indications for surgical repair of type 1 laryngeal cleft. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 2018;127(04):217–222,66 Kiessling P, Smith A, Puccinelli C, Balakrishnan K. Postoperative dysphagia immediately following pediatric endoscopic laryngeal cleft repair. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2021;142:110625. Doi: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2021.110625
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijporl.2021.11...
,77 Strychowsky JE, Dodrill P, Moritz E, Perez J, Rahbar R. Swallowing dysfunction among patients with laryngeal cleft: More than just aspiration? Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2016;82:38–42,88 Wertz A, Ha JF, Driver LE, Zopf DA. Pediatric laryngeal cleft repair and dysphagia. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2018;104:216–219,99 Casazza GC, Graham ME, Asfour F, O’Gorman M, Skirko J, Meier JD. Aspiration in the otherwise healthy Infant-Is there a natural course for improvement? Laryngoscope 2020;130(02):514–520,1010 Newberry CI, Carpenter P, McCrary H, Casazza G, Skirko J, Meier J. Inter-rater reliability in diagnosis and treatment of type one laryngeal cleft: A blinded observational study. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2020;139:110475. Doi: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2020.110475
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,1111 Liao K, Ulualp SO. Spectrum of swallowing abnormalities in children with Type I laryngeal cleft. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2022;163:111380. Doi: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2022.111380
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,1212 Shah HP, Brawley CC, Maurrasse S, et al. Pediatric laryngeal cleft repair with coblation: Functional comparison of a novel technique with traditional methods. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2022;163:111378. Doi: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2022.111378
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,1313 Yeung JC, Balakrishnan K, Cheng ATL, et al; International Pediatric Otolaryngology Group. International Pediatric Otolaryngology Group: Consensus guidelines on the diagnosis and management of typeIlaryngealclefts.IntJPediatrOtorhinolaryngol2017;101:51–56 The diagnosis of a type I laryngeal cleft requires meticulous examination of the interarytenoid region as it may be challenging to differentiate from a normal pediatric larynx. Clefts not reaching the true vocal folds havebeen described as a deep interarytenoid groove (DIG).1313 Yeung JC, Balakrishnan K, Cheng ATL, et al; International Pediatric Otolaryngology Group. International Pediatric Otolaryngology Group: Consensus guidelines on the diagnosis and management of typeIlaryngealclefts.IntJPediatrOtorhinolaryngol2017;101:51–56,1414 Miglani A, Schraff S, Clarke PY, et al. An aerodigestive approach to laryngeal clefts and dysphagia using injection laryngoplasty in young children. Curr Gastroenterol Rep 2017;19(12):60,1515 Jefferson ND, Carmel E, Cheng AT. Low inter-arytenoid height: a subclassification of type 1 laryngeal cleft diagnosis and management. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2015;79(01):31–35,1616 Chien W, Ashland J, Haver K, Hardy SC, Curren P, Hartnick CJ. Type 1 laryngeal cleft: establishing a functional diagnostic and management algorithm. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2006;70(12):2073–2079 The clinical manifestations of a DIG are similar to those of type I laryngeal cleft.1313 Yeung JC, Balakrishnan K, Cheng ATL, et al; International Pediatric Otolaryngology Group. International Pediatric Otolaryngology Group: Consensus guidelines on the diagnosis and management of typeIlaryngealclefts.IntJPediatrOtorhinolaryngol2017;101:51–56 While some cases may be asymptomatic, symptoms associated with clefts of varying interarytenoid mucosa height include dysphagia and respiratory abnormalities, such as chronic cough, stridor, respiratory distress, and aspiration pneumonia. Surgical management is considered for patients with persistent respiratory and feeding difficulty despite medical management and feeding therapy.1313 Yeung JC, Balakrishnan K, Cheng ATL, et al; International Pediatric Otolaryngology Group. International Pediatric Otolaryngology Group: Consensus guidelines on the diagnosis and management of typeIlaryngealclefts.IntJPediatrOtorhinolaryngol2017;101:51–56

The definitive treatment for laryngeal cleft is endoscopic surgical repair; however, injection laryngoplasty has been increasingly used. To date, the surgical outcomes of the interarytenoid augmentation with injection (IA) have not been systematically studied. We hypothesized that injection laryngoplasty is an effective initial treatment trial for management of children with DIG. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the subjective and objective outcomes of IA in children with DIG.

Material and Methods

The electronic medicalrecordsofpatientswho had undergone IA for deep interarytenoid groove between January 2015 and February 2020 were reviewed retrospectively. The study was approved by the local institutional human research review board, and informed consent was waived. Patients younger than 18 years old who had videofluoroscopic swallow study (VFSS) before and after IA were included in the study. The exclusion criteria consisted of a historyof abnormal vocal fold function, previous history of laryngeal cleft repair, prior IA, or history of airway surgery.

All patients underwent suspension laryngoscopy with palpation of the interarytenoid region for definitive diagnosis of DIG under general anesthesia. After placing laryngeal spreaders, the interarytenoid region was palpated using a using a right-angle laryngeal probe. The diagnosis of DIG was made when the interarytenoid groove did not extend to the level of the vocal fold.1313 Yeung JC, Balakrishnan K, Cheng ATL, et al; International Pediatric Otolaryngology Group. International Pediatric Otolaryngology Group: Consensus guidelines on the diagnosis and management of typeIlaryngealclefts.IntJPediatrOtorhinolaryngol2017;101:51–56,1414 Miglani A, Schraff S, Clarke PY, et al. An aerodigestive approach to laryngeal clefts and dysphagia using injection laryngoplasty in young children. Curr Gastroenterol Rep 2017;19(12):60,1515 Jefferson ND, Carmel E, Cheng AT. Low inter-arytenoid height: a subclassification of type 1 laryngeal cleft diagnosis and management. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2015;79(01):31–35,1616 Chien W, Ashland J, Haver K, Hardy SC, Curren P, Hartnick CJ. Type 1 laryngeal cleft: establishing a functional diagnostic and management algorithm. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2006;70(12):2073–2079 The DIG height was not measured. Interarytenoid injection was performed using Prolaryn gel (aqueous/glycerin/carboxymethylcellulose gel - Merz North America, Raleigh, NC, USA) or Juvederm (hyaluronic acid - Allergan,Irvine, CA, USA). The interarytenoidareawasinjected until the groove was full. Patients who continued to have thin liquid penetration or aspiration after undergoing IA subsequently underwent DIG repair with endoscopic suturing.

Data pertaining to age, gender, race, past medical history, past surgical history, and results of pre and postoperative VFSS were obtained. The primary outcome measure was the presence of thin liquid aspiration or penetration on postoperative VFSS. Aspiration is defined as the passing of the bolus below the true vocal folds, and penetration is when thebolus enters the airway but not below the true vocal folds.1717 Ulualp S, Brown A, Sanghavi R, Rivera-Sanchez Y. Assessment of laryngopharyngeal sensation in children with dysphagia. Laryngoscope 2013;123(09):2291–2295 Secondary outcome measures included caregiver-reported subjective improvement of symptoms in the postoperative period. Comparisons of prevalence were performed by a chisquared test. A p-value < 0.05 was deemed statistically significant. Results included odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results

Thirty-nine patients (22 male, 17 female, age range: 9 days--14 years) underwent IA. Thirty-six patients had no comorbid conditions. Comorbid conditions were gastroesophageal reflux disease in 10 patients, premature birth in 9, developmental delay in 7, asthma in 4, andgenetic abnormality (two patients with Down syndrome, one with Duane syndrome, one with Trisomy 8, one with Emanuel syndrome and one with chromosome 4 abnormality) in 6 (►Table 1). The presenting symptoms were coughing or choking with feeds in 30 patients, aspiration pneumonia in 4, and recurrent upper respiratory infectionin 2. The follow-upperiod ranged from 1 month to 11 months (median = 3). All patients had feedingtherapy and modified consistencyoffeeds prior to IA. Patients with gastroesophageal reflux received antireflux therapy. Interarytenoid augmentation was achieved by injecting Prolaryn gel in 38 patients and Juvederm in 1. The amount of injection ranged from 0.1ml to 0.2ml (median = 0.1 ml). Three patients with no penetration or aspiration, as detected with VFSS, underwent IA due to clinical symptoms concerning aspiration. No surgical complications occurred. Twenty caregivers (51%) reported improved swallowing (►Table 1). Caregiver-reported swallowing assessment was unavailable in 10 patients. The rate of caregiver-reported improvement in girls was higher than in boys (OR: 3.39, 95% CI: 1.76–6.54, p < 0.001). Hispanic patients’ care-givers reported higher rate of improvement in symptoms and caregivers of Caucasian (OR: 3.60, 95% CI: 1.79–7.23, p < 0.001) and African American patients (OR: 4.09, 95% CI: 2.05–8.18, p < 0.001). Caregivers of patients with genetic abnormality reported higher rateof improvement thanthose of patients with asthma (OR: 2.0, 95% CI: 1.05–3.80, p = 0.04) and developmental delay (OR:4.0, 95%CI:2.13–7.49, p < 0.001). The rate of caregiver-reported improvement in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease was higher than patients with developmental delay (OR: 3.54, 95% CI: 1.91–6.55, p < 0.001) and premature birth history (OR: 2.36, 95% CI: 1.27–4.39, p = 0.009).

Table 1
Demographics of entire group of children with DIG who had injection and findings of caregiver reported symptoms

Twenty-seven patients (17 male, 10 female, age range: 4 months–7 years) had VFSS before and after IA (►Table 2). Videofluoroscopic swallow study was not available in six patients prior to IA and in seven patients after IA. Furthermore, it was obtained between 1 and 3 months after IA in 25 patients. Two patients had VFSS 1 week and 6 months after IA. Of the 27 children who had VFSS before and after IA, 19 (70%) had thin liquid penetration and 12 (44%) had thin liquid aspiration before IA (►Fig. 1). Thin liquid penetration resolved in 9 children (47%) and persisted in 10 (53%). Six of the 8 children (75%) who had no thin liquid penetration before IAdevelopedthinliquidpenetration after IA.Of the 12 children who had thin liquid aspiration prior to IA, 6 (50%) had resolution of thin liquid aspiration after IA. After IA, thin liquid penetration occurred less in male (OR: 2.03, 95% CI: 1.15–3.59, p = 0.02) and Hispanic patients (OR: 4.89, 95% CI: 2.66–8.97, p < 0.001), and caregivers reported improvement of symptoms (OR: 2.3, 95% CI: 1.34–4.22, p = 0.004). After IA, thin aspiration occurred less in patients older than 1 year (OR: 2.03, 95% CI: 1.14–3.59, p = 0.02), Caucasian (OR: 2.57, 95% CI: 1.45–4.56, p=0.002), and those with presence of comorbidity (OR: 4.0, 95% CI: 2.2–7.2, p<0.001).

Table 2
Findings of thin liquid penetration and aspiration before and after interarytenoid augmentation with injection

Fig. 1
Number of patients with thin liquid penetration and aspiration before and after interarytenoid augmentation with injection (IA).

Endoscopic repair was performed in eight children who had IA (►Table 3). Interarytenoid augmentation with injection has resulted in resolution of thin liquid penetration or aspiration in five children, and no change in three. After endoscopic repair, the child with worsening symptoms after IA (subject 21) had resolution of thin liquid penetration. Of the 4 children (subjects 6, 9,15, and 16) with no change in penetration or aspiration after IA, 1 had resolution of penetration and aspiration and 3had no change. Three of the 6 the children who had no change or worsening after IA had no thin penetration after endoscopic repair. A child with resolution of thin liquid penetration after IA (subject 5) continued to have no thin liquid penetration after endoscopic repair.

Table 3
Findings of thin liquid penetration and aspiration before and after interarytenoid augmentation with surgery

Discussion

Interarytenoid augmentation with injection is an attractive option used to diagnose and treat type I laryngeal cleft. In the present study,IAwasusedto treat swallowing dysfunction in children with DIG. Subjective and objective improvement of swallowing function was documented in 47 to 51% of the children who had IA. The rate ofcaregiver-reported improvement in swallowing function (51%) was similar to the resolution rate of thin liquid aspiration (50%). The resolution rate of thin liquid penetration was similar to that of thin liquid aspiration. Plausible explanations of persistent aspiration and penetration after IA include inadequate augmentation of the interarytenoid groove and presence of comorbidities such as neuromuscular and developmental abnormalities affecting swallowing function.1818 Miller AL, Hersh CJ, Johnson KE, Hartnick CJ. Short-term swallowing outcomes following type 1 laryngeal cleft injection. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2019;116:159–163,1919 Miller AL, Caloway C, Hersh CJ, Hartnick CJ. Long-term swallowing outcomes following type 1 laryngeal cleft injection. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2020;128:109731. Doi: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2019.109731
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijporl.2019.10...

The outcomesofIAfor the managementof typeIlaryngeal cleft have been evaluated based on resolution or improvement of penetrationoraspirationas detected with VFSS.1818 Miller AL, Hersh CJ, Johnson KE, Hartnick CJ. Short-term swallowing outcomes following type 1 laryngeal cleft injection. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2019;116:159–163,1919 Miller AL, Caloway C, Hersh CJ, Hartnick CJ. Long-term swallowing outcomes following type 1 laryngeal cleft injection. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2020;128:109731. Doi: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2019.109731
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijporl.2019.10...
,2020 Al-AlawnehM,CaballeroL,DeBrouxE,etal.InjectionLaryngoplasty for the treatment of type 1 laryngeal clefts: a single institution experience. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 2021;130(07):775–780,2121 Cohen MS, Zhuang L, Simons JP, Chi DH, Maguire RC, Mehta DK. Injection laryngoplasty for type 1 laryngeal cleft in children. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2011;144(05):789–793,2222 Thottam PJ, Georg M, Chi D, Mehta DK. Outcomes and predictors of surgical management in type 1 laryngeal cleft swallowing dysfunction. Laryngoscope 2016;126(12):2838–2843,2323 Horn DL, DeMarre K, Parikh SR. Interarytenoid sodium carboxymethylcellulose gel injection for management of pediatric aspiration. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 2014;123(12):852–858 The resolution rate of aspiration after IA ranged from 13 to 56%.1818 Miller AL, Hersh CJ, Johnson KE, Hartnick CJ. Short-term swallowing outcomes following type 1 laryngeal cleft injection. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2019;116:159–163,2121 Cohen MS, Zhuang L, Simons JP, Chi DH, Maguire RC, Mehta DK. Injection laryngoplasty for type 1 laryngeal cleft in children. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2011;144(05):789–793,2222 Thottam PJ, Georg M, Chi D, Mehta DK. Outcomes and predictors of surgical management in type 1 laryngeal cleft swallowing dysfunction. Laryngoscope 2016;126(12):2838–2843 The long-term follow-up revealed resolution of aspiration in 37% of children.1919 Miller AL, Caloway C, Hersh CJ, Hartnick CJ. Long-term swallowing outcomes following type 1 laryngeal cleft injection. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2020;128:109731. Doi: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2019.109731
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijporl.2019.10...
Clinical improvement of aspiration and penetration based on ability to use a less thick consistency or resolution of aspiration ranged from 48 to 57%.2020 Al-AlawnehM,CaballeroL,DeBrouxE,etal.InjectionLaryngoplasty for the treatment of type 1 laryngeal clefts: a single institution experience. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 2021;130(07):775–780,2323 Horn DL, DeMarre K, Parikh SR. Interarytenoid sodium carboxymethylcellulose gel injection for management of pediatric aspiration. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 2014;123(12):852–858 In the present study, the rates of resolution of penetration (47%) and aspiration (50%) in children with DIG were comparable to previous success rates in children with type I laryngeal cleft.2121 Cohen MS, Zhuang L, Simons JP, Chi DH, Maguire RC, Mehta DK. Injection laryngoplasty for type 1 laryngeal cleft in children. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2011;144(05):789–793,2222 Thottam PJ, Georg M, Chi D, Mehta DK. Outcomes and predictors of surgical management in type 1 laryngeal cleft swallowing dysfunction. Laryngoscope 2016;126(12):2838–2843 The depth of the interarytenoid groove as well as differences in patient demographics and morbidities may account for higher success rate in children with DIG than that of a previous study in children with type I laryngeal cleft.1818 Miller AL, Hersh CJ, Johnson KE, Hartnick CJ. Short-term swallowing outcomes following type 1 laryngeal cleft injection. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2019;116:159–163

A wide variety of injection materials such as hyaluronic acid, autologous fat, carboxymethycellulose gel, micronized acellular dermal matrix, and calcium hydroxylapatite is used for injection laryngoplasty.2424 Salinas JB, Chhetri DK. Injection laryngoplasty: techniques and choices of fillers. Curr Otorhinolaryngol Rep 2014;2(02):131–136 Gelfoam, calcium hydroxylapatite, aqueous/glycerin/carboxymethylcellulose gel or carboxymethylcellulose gel for interarytenoid augmentation have been used in children with type I laryngeal cleft.1818 Miller AL, Hersh CJ, Johnson KE, Hartnick CJ. Short-term swallowing outcomes following type 1 laryngeal cleft injection. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2019;116:159–163,1919 Miller AL, Caloway C, Hersh CJ, Hartnick CJ. Long-term swallowing outcomes following type 1 laryngeal cleft injection. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2020;128:109731. Doi: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2019.109731
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijporl.2019.10...
,2020 Al-AlawnehM,CaballeroL,DeBrouxE,etal.InjectionLaryngoplasty for the treatment of type 1 laryngeal clefts: a single institution experience. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 2021;130(07):775–780,2121 Cohen MS, Zhuang L, Simons JP, Chi DH, Maguire RC, Mehta DK. Injection laryngoplasty for type 1 laryngeal cleft in children. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2011;144(05):789–793,2222 Thottam PJ, Georg M, Chi D, Mehta DK. Outcomes and predictors of surgical management in type 1 laryngeal cleft swallowing dysfunction. Laryngoscope 2016;126(12):2838–2843,2323 Horn DL, DeMarre K, Parikh SR. Interarytenoid sodium carboxymethylcellulose gel injection for management of pediatric aspiration. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 2014;123(12):852–858,2424 Salinas JB, Chhetri DK. Injection laryngoplasty: techniques and choices of fillers. Curr Otorhinolaryngol Rep 2014;2(02):131–136,2525 Ojha S, Ashland JE, Hersh C, Ramakrishna J, Maurer R, Hartnick CJ. Type 1 laryngeal cleft: a multidimensional management algorithm. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2014;140(01):34–40 In the present study, aqueous/glycerin/carboxymethylcellulose gel was used in all children with DIG except one patient who received hyaluronic acid. The resorption of carboxymethylcellulose gel usually occurs within 3 to 6 months after injection per Prolaryn gel instructions for use; however, other injection materials are absorbed in between 3 to 12 months, depending on the material.2626 Mallur PS, Rosen CA. Vocal fold injection: review of indications, techniques, and materials for augmentation. Clin Exp Otorhinolaryngol 2010;3(04):177–182 The effect of varying laryngeal injection materials on the outcomes of IA is unknown in children with DIG or type I laryngeal cleft.

Worsening of dysphagia after IA has been documented in children with type I laryngeal cleft.2020 Al-AlawnehM,CaballeroL,DeBrouxE,etal.InjectionLaryngoplasty for the treatment of type 1 laryngeal clefts: a single institution experience. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 2021;130(07):775–780 The exact mechanism of worsening of dysphagia after IA is unknown. Patient-dependent factors such as age, comorbidities, timing of swallowing assessment after surgery, and variations in surgical technique may have contributed to deterioration of the swallowing function.2020 Al-AlawnehM,CaballeroL,DeBrouxE,etal.InjectionLaryngoplasty for the treatment of type 1 laryngeal clefts: a single institution experience. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 2021;130(07):775–780 Videofluoroscopic swallow study is a moment in time and provides a snapshot of the swallowing function. Its results are influenced by fatigue, bolus volume, variability from day to day or over the course of a day, cooperation, variability in feeders, and drinking utensil differences.2727 Martin-Harris B, Canon CL, Bonilha HS, Murray J, Davidson K, Lefton-Greif MA. Best practices in modified barium swallow studies. Am J Speech Lang Pathol 2020;29(2S):1078–1093. Doi: 10.1044/2020_AJSLP-19-00189
https://doi.org/10.1044/2020_AJSLP-19-00...
,2828 Lefton-Greif MA, McGrattan KE, Carson KA, Pinto JM, Wright JM, Martin-Harris B. First steps towards development of an instrument for the reproducible quantification of oropharyngeal swallow physiology in bottle-fed children. Dysphagia 2018;33(01):76–82 The effect of VFSS-dependent factors on findings worsening dysphagia cannot be excluded. Endoscopic repair resulted in resolution of thin liquid penetration in 3 of the 6 the children who had no change or worsening after IA. Hence, our findings provide preliminary evidence to support the use of endoscopic repair in children with DIG who do not benefit from IA.

The management of children with DIG has not been established. The managementofalgorithms fortype I laryngeal cleft recommended arytenoid augmentation by injection or suturing after failure of medical management.1616 Chien W, Ashland J, Haver K, Hardy SC, Curren P, Hartnick CJ. Type 1 laryngeal cleft: establishing a functional diagnostic and management algorithm. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2006;70(12):2073–2079,2222 Thottam PJ, Georg M, Chi D, Mehta DK. Outcomes and predictors of surgical management in type 1 laryngeal cleft swallowing dysfunction. Laryngoscope 2016;126(12):2838–2843 Interarytenoid augmentationwith injectionwas proposed asanintermediary step at the time of type I laryngeal cleft diagnosis.2020 Al-AlawnehM,CaballeroL,DeBrouxE,etal.InjectionLaryngoplasty for the treatment of type 1 laryngeal clefts: a single institution experience. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 2021;130(07):775–780 In the present study, IA was performed after patients received feeding therapy and medical treatment. Conceivably, IA may be performed at the time of diagnosis or failure of medical management in children with DIG. The limitations of the present study are inherent to the retrospective study design. Interarytenoid augmentationwith injectionwasperformed by multiple surgeons, and the fullness of the interarytenoid area after injection was determined basedon surgeon’s judgement. The effect of possible variations in postinjection interarytenoid groove fullness on present study findings cannot be excluded. The volume of injectate was not available in all patients; however, the volume of injectate varies depending on the height of interarytenoid groove. Therefore, the interarytenoid area was injected until the groove was full as described in previous studies, achieving fullness of the groove provided uniformity amongst the patients.2121 Cohen MS, Zhuang L, Simons JP, Chi DH, Maguire RC, Mehta DK. Injection laryngoplasty for type 1 laryngeal cleft in children. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2011;144(05):789–793,2323 Horn DL, DeMarre K, Parikh SR. Interarytenoid sodium carboxymethylcellulose gel injection for management of pediatric aspiration. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 2014;123(12):852–858 The severity of penetration and aspiration was not assessed using a standard scale. The use of a standard scale would facilitate interstudy comparisons and provide better characterization of dysphagia. Preoperative VFSS was not available in six patients; however, we recommend objective assessment of swallowing function with the use of pre and postoperative swallow study. Pre and postoperative VFSS is crucial to determine the outcomes of surgical intervention.

The definition ofDIG has been debated amongst members of the International Pediatric Otolaryngology Group.1313 Yeung JC, Balakrishnan K, Cheng ATL, et al; International Pediatric Otolaryngology Group. International Pediatric Otolaryngology Group: Consensus guidelines on the diagnosis and management of typeIlaryngealclefts.IntJPediatrOtorhinolaryngol2017;101:51–56 The majority of members (85%) made the DIG diagnosis based on visual inspection of the interarytenoid groove. The DIG was described as an interytenoid groove approaching but not reaching the level of the true vocal folds.1313 Yeung JC, Balakrishnan K, Cheng ATL, et al; International Pediatric Otolaryngology Group. International Pediatric Otolaryngology Group: Consensus guidelines on the diagnosis and management of typeIlaryngealclefts.IntJPediatrOtorhinolaryngol2017;101:51–56 Few members (15%) made the DIG diagnosis when the microscopically measured interarytenoid groove height was less than 3mm and the interarytenoid groove remained above the true vocal fold. In the present study, the diagnosis of DIG was made when the palpation of the interarytenoid groove revealed a cleft not extending to the level of the vocal fold. As there is no universally accepted gold standard method to diagnose DIG, the clinical features of a patient with DIG should be considered in its management. The identification of an objective criterion to define DIG resulting in clinical symptoms merits further investigation. The disproportionate representation of subgroups of age, gender, race, and comorbidity may influence the outcomes of comparisons; therefore, our results regarding the rate ofcaregiver reported improvement and resolution of thin liquid penetration and aspiration amongst the subgroups of gender, age, race, and comorbidity should be interpreted carefully.

Conclusion

Injection laryngoplasty is a safe tool to improve the swallowing function in children with DIG. Interarytenoid augmentation with injection improved thin liquid aspiration and penetration; however, worsening of dysphagia may occur after IA. Endoscopic repair improved the swallowing function in children who had no benefit from IA or worsening of thin liquid penetration after IA. The assessment of long-term outcomes of injection laryngoplasty and the identification of predictors of success after injection laryngoplastyin children with DIG merit further investigation.

  • Financial Disclosure
    The authors have no financial relationships to disclose.
  • Funding
    The author(s) received no financial support for the research.
  • *
    Presented at the Annual Meeting of American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology, April 29, May 1, 2022, Dallas, Texas.

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Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    14 June 2024
  • Date of issue
    2024

History

  • Received
    21 Aug 2022
  • Accepted
    02 Feb 2023
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