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The Prevalence of Dysphagia in Children with Laryngomalacia Pre and Postsupraglottoplasty: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Introduction

Laryngomalacia is the most common congenital laryngeal alteration, with spontaneous resolution in most cases. However, in the face of more severe presentations of the disease, it is necessary to perform supraglottoplasty surgery. Studies have been dedicated to researching changes in swallowing in children with laryngomalacia before and after surgical intervention.

Objectives

To identify the prevalence of oropharyngeal dysphagia in children with pre and postsupraglottoplasty laryngomalacia.

Data Synthesis

A search strategy was developed with terms and entreterms to designate a population pediatric with laryngomalacia, exposure supraglottoplasty, and outcome frequency of dysphagia, adapted to the requirements of the main databases in the health area. The analysis of the records found was performed by two independent examiners and, in the end, 6 articles were included in the study. The articles found enabled a sample of 330 children with laryngomalacia, 311 of whom underwent supraglottoplasty. Among the included studies, 5 were grouped and meta-analyzed. After supraglottoplasty surgery, a 59% reduction in the prevalence of oropharyngeal dysphagia was identified, with high heterogeneity I2 = 93%.

Conclusion

Despite the heterogeneity of the sample, the supraglottoplasty procedure significantly reduces the prevalence of dysphagia in children with laryngomalacia.

Keywords
infant; newborn; deglutition; deglutition disorders; laryngomalacia; aspiration

Introduction

Laryngomalacia (LM) is the most common congenital laryngeal alteration,11 Wright CT, Goudy SL. Congenital laryngomalacia: symptom duration and need for surgical intervention. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 2012;121(01):57–60,22 Dobbie AM, White DR. Laryngomalacia. Pediatr Clin North Am 2013;60(04):893–902,33 Thompson DM. Laryngomalacia: factors that influence disease severity and outcomes of management. Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2010;18(06):564–570,44 Rathi A, Rathi S. Relative imbalance as etiology of laryngomalacia - A new theory. Med Hypotheses 2017;98:38–41. Doi: 10.1016/j.mehy.2016.11.004
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mehy.2016.11.0...
being responsible for 70% of cases44 Rathi A, Rathi S. Relative imbalance as etiology of laryngomalacia - A new theory. Med Hypotheses 2017;98:38–41. Doi: 10.1016/j.mehy.2016.11.004
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mehy.2016.11.0...
of stridor in babies,11 Wright CT, Goudy SL. Congenital laryngomalacia: symptom duration and need for surgical intervention. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 2012;121(01):57–60,33 Thompson DM. Laryngomalacia: factors that influence disease severity and outcomes of management. Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2010;18(06):564–570,44 Rathi A, Rathi S. Relative imbalance as etiology of laryngomalacia - A new theory. Med Hypotheses 2017;98:38–41. Doi: 10.1016/j.mehy.2016.11.004
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mehy.2016.11.0...
,55 Bluher AE, Darrow DH. Stridor in the Newborn. Pediatr Clin North Am 2019;66(02):475–488. Doi: 10.1016/j.pcl.2018.12.013
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pcl.2018.12.01...
a symptom that is characteristic of the disorder. The stridor consists of a high-pitched breathing sound that signals an obstruction in the airways,22 Dobbie AM, White DR. Laryngomalacia. Pediatr Clin North Am 2013;60(04):893–902,66 Clark CM, Kugler K, Carr MM. Common causes of congenital stridor in infants. JAAPA 2018;31(11):36–40,77 Landry AM, Thompson DM. Laryngomalacia: disease presentation, spectrum, and management. Int J Pediatr 2012;2012; 753526 more precisely at the laryngeal and/or tracheobronchial levels.88 Bhatt J, Prager JD. Neonatal stridor: diagnosis and management. Clin Perinatol 2018;45(04):817–831. Doi: 10.1016/j.clp.2018.07.015
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clp.2018.07.01...
Airway obstruction results from the collapse of the supraglottic region,22 Dobbie AM, White DR. Laryngomalacia. Pediatr Clin North Am 2013;60(04):893–902,77 Landry AM, Thompson DM. Laryngomalacia: disease presentation, spectrum, and management. Int J Pediatr 2012;2012; 753526 due to excess mucosa and alteration and/or reduction in laryngeal tone.22 Dobbie AM, White DR. Laryngomalacia. Pediatr Clin North Am 2013;60(04):893–902

Stridor characteristics such as intensity and frequency, among others, will depend on the extent of the obstruction and caliber of the affected airways, as well as on the respiratory effort and alteration of the air flow speed that may be being used at the moment.55 Bluher AE, Darrow DH. Stridor in the Newborn. Pediatr Clin North Am 2019;66(02):475–488. Doi: 10.1016/j.pcl.2018.12.013
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pcl.2018.12.01...
In addition, stridor usually worsens with feeding,88 Bhatt J, Prager JD. Neonatal stridor: diagnosis and management. Clin Perinatol 2018;45(04):817–831. Doi: 10.1016/j.clp.2018.07.015
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clp.2018.07.01...
supine positioning (5.8), agitation77 Landry AM, Thompson DM. Laryngomalacia: disease presentation, spectrum, and management. Int J Pediatr 2012;2012; 753526 and may present as a single symptom or with other symptoms, such as respiratory effort, tachypnea, and chest retraction, among others.55 Bluher AE, Darrow DH. Stridor in the Newborn. Pediatr Clin North Am 2019;66(02):475–488. Doi: 10.1016/j.pcl.2018.12.013
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pcl.2018.12.01...
,66 Clark CM, Kugler K, Carr MM. Common causes of congenital stridor in infants. JAAPA 2018;31(11):36–40,88 Bhatt J, Prager JD. Neonatal stridor: diagnosis and management. Clin Perinatol 2018;45(04):817–831. Doi: 10.1016/j.clp.2018.07.015
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clp.2018.07.01...

The diagnosis of LM takes into account the patient’s clinical history, but it is confirmed, most of the time, with a flexible fiberoptic laryngoscopy exam, which investigates the dynamic movement of the laryngeal structures during breathing, performed with the patient awake22 Dobbie AM, White DR. Laryngomalacia. Pediatr Clin North Am 2013;60(04):893–902,55 Bluher AE, Darrow DH. Stridor in the Newborn. Pediatr Clin North Am 2019;66(02):475–488. Doi: 10.1016/j.pcl.2018.12.013
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pcl.2018.12.01...
,77 Landry AM, Thompson DM. Laryngomalacia: disease presentation, spectrum, and management. Int J Pediatr 2012;2012; 753526,88 Bhatt J, Prager JD. Neonatal stridor: diagnosis and management. Clin Perinatol 2018;45(04):817–831. Doi: 10.1016/j.clp.2018.07.015
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clp.2018.07.01...
or under sedation in spontaneous breathing. The main findings of the examination are prolapse of supra-arytenoid tissue during inspiration, epiglottis with an omega or retroflex shape, shortened aryepiglottic folds, redundant arytenoid mucosa, poor visualization of the vocal folds, and edema of the posterior glottis region.22 Dobbie AM, White DR. Laryngomalacia. Pediatr Clin North Am 2013;60(04):893–902,33 Thompson DM. Laryngomalacia: factors that influence disease severity and outcomes of management. Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2010;18(06):564–570,66 Clark CM, Kugler K, Carr MM. Common causes of congenital stridor in infants. JAAPA 2018;31(11):36–40,77 Landry AM, Thompson DM. Laryngomalacia: disease presentation, spectrum, and management. Int J Pediatr 2012;2012; 753526,88 Bhatt J, Prager JD. Neonatal stridor: diagnosis and management. Clin Perinatol 2018;45(04):817–831. Doi: 10.1016/j.clp.2018.07.015
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clp.2018.07.01...

The symptoms of LM usually begin to appear in the 2nd week of life, but, in most cases, they resolve spontaneously with little or no treatment until 18 to 24 months of age.11 Wright CT, Goudy SL. Congenital laryngomalacia: symptom duration and need for surgical intervention. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 2012;121(01):57–60,22 Dobbie AM, White DR. Laryngomalacia. Pediatr Clin North Am 2013;60(04):893–902,88 Bhatt J, Prager JD. Neonatal stridor: diagnosis and management. Clin Perinatol 2018;45(04):817–831. Doi: 10.1016/j.clp.2018.07.015
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clp.2018.07.01...
The spontaneous resolution of cases often requires, in addition to monitoring the patient, changes in their diet and specific treatment for gastroesophageal reflux (GER).22 Dobbie AM, White DR. Laryngomalacia. Pediatr Clin North Am 2013;60(04):893–902,44 Rathi A, Rathi S. Relative imbalance as etiology of laryngomalacia - A new theory. Med Hypotheses 2017;98:38–41. Doi: 10.1016/j.mehy.2016.11.004
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mehy.2016.11.0...
Between 10 and 20% of cases require surgical intervention,11 Wright CT, Goudy SL. Congenital laryngomalacia: symptom duration and need for surgical intervention. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 2012;121(01):57–60,22 Dobbie AM, White DR. Laryngomalacia. Pediatr Clin North Am 2013;60(04):893–902,77 Landry AM, Thompson DM. Laryngomalacia: disease presentation, spectrum, and management. Int J Pediatr 2012;2012; 753526 which can also vary according to the complexity of the service studied.77 Landry AM, Thompson DM. Laryngomalacia: disease presentation, spectrum, and management. Int J Pediatr 2012;2012; 753526

Surgical treatment of LM is determined by the severity of the patient’s symptoms,11 Wright CT, Goudy SL. Congenital laryngomalacia: symptom duration and need for surgical intervention. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 2012;121(01):57–60,22 Dobbie AM, White DR. Laryngomalacia. Pediatr Clin North Am 2013;60(04):893–902,77 Landry AM, Thompson DM. Laryngomalacia: disease presentation, spectrum, and management. Int J Pediatr 2012;2012; 753526 with absolute indication for patients who present conditions such as cor pulmonale and/or pulmonary, pulmonary hypertension, pectus excavatum, hypoxia, and ventilatory failure, among others respiratory compromises that pose risks to the patient’s life. Other indications considered relative are weight loss associated with feeding difficulties, laryngotracheal aspiration with recurrent pneumonia, and obstructive sleep apnea.22 Dobbie AM, White DR. Laryngomalacia. Pediatr Clin North Am 2013;60(04):893–902,77 Landry AM, Thompson DM. Laryngomalacia: disease presentation, spectrum, and management. Int J Pediatr 2012;2012; 753526 The endoscopic procedure developed to alter the anatomy of the supraglottic area preventing collapse and obstruction of the region of the larynx is called supraglottoplasty (SGP).99 Irace AL, Dombrowski ND, Kawai K, et al. Evaluation of aspiration in infants with laryngomalacia and recurrent respiratory and feeding difficulties. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2019;145 (02):146–151

Laryngomalacia can also be classified according to its severity as mild, moderate, and severe, based on the association of symptoms in the diet and airway obstruction. Mild LM usually has no consequences and can be managed through observation and monitoring, without interventions. Moderate LM has symptoms related to diet, but it is still possible to circumvent them through dietary changes and acid suppression in cases of gastroesophageal reflux (GER). The severe form of the disorder, on the other hand, requires surgical intervention through SGP. It is believed that between 10 and 20% of patients initially present with severe LM.77 Landry AM, Thompson DM. Laryngomalacia: disease presentation, spectrum, and management. Int J Pediatr 2012;2012; 753526 In any of the degrees of severity, it is necessary to carry out continuous monitoring of patients and observation of their symptoms, as there may be a progression in the classification of cases.22 Dobbie AM, White DR. Laryngomalacia. Pediatr Clin North Am 2013;60(04):893–902,77 Landry AM, Thompson DM. Laryngomalacia: disease presentation, spectrum, and management. Int J Pediatr 2012;2012; 753526

Difficulties in feeding, dysphagia, aspiration, and silent aspiration are highly prevalent in LM.99 Irace AL, Dombrowski ND, Kawai K, et al. Evaluation of aspiration in infants with laryngomalacia and recurrent respiratory and feeding difficulties. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2019;145 (02):146–151,1010 Simons JP, Greenberg LL, Mehta DK, Fabio A, Maguire RC, Mandell DL. Laryngomalacia and swallowing function in children. Laryngoscope 2016;126(02):478–484,1111 Gasparin M, Schweiger C, Manica D, et al. Accuracy of clinical swallowing evaluation for diagnosis of dysphagia in children with laryngomalacia or glossoptosis. Pediatr Pulmonol 2017;52(01): 41–47 As it is an anomaly that alters the breathing pattern, it ends up interfering in the coordination between sucking, swallowing, and breathing, functions that are so important, especially for the act of eating safely. The main consequences of this incoordination are pulmonary and nutritional impairment.1212 Lefton-Greif MA, McGrath-Morrow SA. Deglutition and respiration: development, coordination, and practical implications. Semin Speech Lang 2007;28(03):166–179 A possible cause for feeding difficulties and swallowing disorders in patients with LM is the decreased sensitivity of the laryngeal region due to reflux of gastric contents, a comorbidity present in most patients.1313 Suskind DL, Thompson DM, Gulati M, Huddleston P, Liu DC, Baroody FM. Improved infant swallowing after gastroesophageal reflux disease treatment: a function of improved laryngeal sensation? Laryngoscope 2006;116(08):1397–1403

The true prevalence of dysphagia and laryngotracheal aspiration in infants with LM is still unknown1010 Simons JP, Greenberg LL, Mehta DK, Fabio A, Maguire RC, Mandell DL. Laryngomalacia and swallowing function in children. Laryngoscope 2016;126(02):478–484,1111 Gasparin M, Schweiger C, Manica D, et al. Accuracy of clinical swallowing evaluation for diagnosis of dysphagia in children with laryngomalacia or glossoptosis. Pediatr Pulmonol 2017;52(01): 41–47 due to the lack of regularity in the objective assessment of swallowing in these patients.1010 Simons JP, Greenberg LL, Mehta DK, Fabio A, Maguire RC, Mandell DL. Laryngomalacia and swallowing function in children. Laryngoscope 2016;126(02):478–484,1414 Chadha NK. Silent aspiration in laryngomalacia—not a hard concept to swallow. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2019; 145(02):151–152. Doi: 10.1001/jamaoto.2018.3764
https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaoto.2018.376...
Such an evaluation presents a greater sensitivity for the detection of aspiration, mainly of silent aspiration. The tools for clinical evaluation of swallowing are based, mainly, on signs and symptoms suggestive of dysphagia, and in silent aspiration, these signs are not evident.1111 Gasparin M, Schweiger C, Manica D, et al. Accuracy of clinical swallowing evaluation for diagnosis of dysphagia in children with laryngomalacia or glossoptosis. Pediatr Pulmonol 2017;52(01): 41–47

Silent aspiration is classified as the passage of food, liquids, medications and other substances towards the lower airways, below the vocal folds, without triggering the cough reflex.1515 Arvedson J, Rogers B, Buck G, Smart P, Msall M. Silent aspiration prominent in children with dysphagia. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 1994;28(2-3):173–181 This is another possible consequence of structural and physiological changes in LM.99 Irace AL, Dombrowski ND, Kawai K, et al. Evaluation of aspiration in infants with laryngomalacia and recurrent respiratory and feeding difficulties. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2019;145 (02):146–151 However, because it does not cause evident signs and symptoms, it becomes a situation of greater risk, which can cause chronic respiratory diseases.1515 Arvedson J, Rogers B, Buck G, Smart P, Msall M. Silent aspiration prominent in children with dysphagia. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 1994;28(2-3):173–181 There is a strong association between LM and silent aspiration, which raises the need to carry out more comprehensive swallowing assessments in patients with such alteration, since they will not always show signs of laryngotracheal aspiration.99 Irace AL, Dombrowski ND, Kawai K, et al. Evaluation of aspiration in infants with laryngomalacia and recurrent respiratory and feeding difficulties. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2019;145 (02):146–151 In addition, it is known that silent aspiration has a high prevalence in children with some neurological impairment,1414 Chadha NK. Silent aspiration in laryngomalacia—not a hard concept to swallow. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2019; 145(02):151–152. Doi: 10.1001/jamaoto.2018.3764
https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaoto.2018.376...
which raises the suspicion that the neuromuscular origin proposed for LM may also contribute to episodes of silent aspiration.

Currently, there are several techniques to evaluate, diagnose, and monitor patients with suspected swallowing disorders. Clinical swallowing assessments, instrumental assessments, and quality of life measures are the main tools used in the clinic.1616 Dodrill P, Gosa MM. Pediatric dysphagia: physiology, assessment, and management. Ann Nutr Metab 2015;66(Suppl 5): 24–31

The videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) is considered the gold standard for the assessment of swallowing and is the most reliable method for detecting silent aspiration.99 Irace AL, Dombrowski ND, Kawai K, et al. Evaluation of aspiration in infants with laryngomalacia and recurrent respiratory and feeding difficulties. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2019;145 (02):146–151 However, due to its higher cost and the risks of radiation exposure, VFSS is only performed when aspiration is suspected, but it has not been possible to confirm it with the clinical evaluation of swallowing. As the VFSS is not a mandatory exam to assess swallowing, the chances of not detecting swallowing disorders are increased in some patients with LM, since many may have silent aspiration.1111 Gasparin M, Schweiger C, Manica D, et al. Accuracy of clinical swallowing evaluation for diagnosis of dysphagia in children with laryngomalacia or glossoptosis. Pediatr Pulmonol 2017;52(01): 41–47 In turn, dysphagia and unidentified and managed aspirations increase the risk of compromising the airways,99 Irace AL, Dombrowski ND, Kawai K, et al. Evaluation of aspiration in infants with laryngomalacia and recurrent respiratory and feeding difficulties. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2019;145 (02):146–151,1515 Arvedson J, Rogers B, Buck G, Smart P, Msall M. Silent aspiration prominent in children with dysphagia. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 1994;28(2-3):173–181 influencing the functioning of the lungs, causing chronic lung diseases or even being fatal in cases of total airway obstruction.1616 Dodrill P, Gosa MM. Pediatric dysphagia: physiology, assessment, and management. Ann Nutr Metab 2015;66(Suppl 5): 24–31

The research started due to the need to identify and synthesize qualitative and quantitative data in relation to swallowing and the presence of changes in this process in children with LM, with or without the SGP surgical treatment, before and after it. Thus, these data would help to obtain an overview on the subject in order to contribute, later, in the clinical practice of care, diagnosis, and management of these patients. Thus, the objective of this systematic review is to identify the prevalence of oropharyngeal dysphagia in children with LM before and after SGP.

Review of the Literature

The systematic literature review was conducted according to the instructions of the Cochrane Collaboration1717 Higgins J, Thomas J, Chandler J, et al. Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Revews of Interventions version 6.1 [Internet]. 2020 Available from: http://www.training.cochrane.org/handbook
http://www.training.cochrane.org/handboo...
and was reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyzes (PRISMA) guidelines.1818 Moher D, Liberati A, Tetzlaff J, Altman DGPRISMA Group. Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses: the PRISMA statement. PLoS Med 2009;6(07):e1000097 The study protocol was registered with PROSPERO - (http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/), under approval number CRD 42020175040.

The guiding question for the study was: “What is the prevalence of oropharyngeal dysphagia in children with LM before and after SGP?”. Subsequently, a search was conducted in the following electronic databases: PubMed, The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences (Lilacs), CidSaude, PAHO, IBECS, and Scielo. This research was complemented by a manual search of other bibliographic resources in the health area related to the presence of oropharyngeal dysphagia in patients with LM, in order to minimize selection bias. Then, studies published until April 2021 were included. For the search stage in the databases, the keywords were associated with specific medical subject headings (MeSH). The complete search strategy, with terms used for PubMed, can be seen in ►Table 1. In addition, in order to increase the sensitivity of the search, entreterms and synonyms were included in the search strategy, which was adapted to the requirements of each database.

Table 1
Search strategy used in the PubMed database

Only studies with an observational analytical design (cohort, case-control, cross-sectional, case study and case series) were included, without language or publication date restriction, with a population of children up to 24 months, of both sexes, diagnosed with LM, who presented clinical or objective swallowing assessment before and after SGP surgery. In this study, instead of interventions, exposures were analyzed, with LM being the exposure of interest. Oropharyngeal dysphagia was considered the main outcome of this review, identified through clinical and objective swallowing assessments, whose main signs are penetration and/or laryngotracheal aspiration.

The studies were initially evaluated by the title and abstracts by two independent evaluators. Studies that met the eligibility criteria were included, and all studies were listed as included, excluded, or not clear. The full texts of the studies included in this stage were obtained and independently assessed by the two reviewers. The reasons for exclusion of the full texts evaluated were recorded, and a third reviewer participated in the research to carry out possible bias between the articles that would be included or not. After the consensus or deliberation of the third reviewer, the articles included were transferred to the data extraction stage, using a standard form in Microsoft Excel (Microsoft Corp., Redmond, WA, USA). The following variables were extracted: authors, year of publication, methodological design of the study, total number of subjects and their characteristics (sex and average age), number of subjects with LM, number of subjects who underwent SGP, associated comorbidities, type of evaluation of swallowing performed, and data on swallowing disorders before and after SGP surgery, such as the frequency of dysphagia in the sample. Disagreement situations in the data extraction stage were solved by the third reviewer. For each result of interest, the number of participants in each group, baseline, and change in the mean (or median), standard deviations, interquartile, and baseline intervals (or standard errors, or confidence intervals), when present, were extracted.

The risk of bias was recorded for each study using quality assessment tools1919 Bai A, Shukla VK, Bak G, Wells G. Quality Assessment Tools Project Report. Ottawa: Canadian Agency for Drugsand Technologies in Health; 2012 specific for observational studies. The same was applied by two independent evaluators, and the strength of the evidence was classified by reference to the total positive results for the 14 criteria recommended in the tool. In the present investigation, studies with a yes answer to questions 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 14, or those with adequacy for at least 50% of the 14 items, were considered to have a lower risk of bias. From its application, it was identified that all articles presented a high risk of bias, presenting methodological weaknesses.

In the first stage of the article selection process in the databases, 273 articles were identified. After removing duplicates, the titles and abstracts of 206 records were analyzed. Of these, 34 references were selected for complete reading. At the end, 6 studies were included for qualitative analysis and, of these, 5 were selected for quantitative analysis - the case study was excluded. The flowchart of the entire process of inclusion and exclusion of studies is represented by ►Figure 1. The characterization of the studies (authors, year of publication, study design, number of patients with LM, number of patients who underwent surgical correction of SGP, mean age, associated comorbidities, and types of swallowing evaluation) are in ►Table 2. The works2020 Richter GT, Rutter MJ, deAlarcon A, Orvidas LJ, Thompson DM. Late-onset laryngomalacia: a variant of disease. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2008;134(01):75–80. Doi: 10.1001/archoto.2007.17
https://doi.org/10.1001/archoto.2007.17...
,2121 Rastatter JC, Schroeder JW, Hoff SR, Holinger LD. Aspiration before and after Supraglottoplasty regardless of Technique. Int J Otolaryngol 2010;2010:912814. Doi: 10.1155/2010/912814
https://doi.org/10.1155/2010/912814...
,2222 Powitzky R, Stoner J, Fisher T, Digoy GP. Changes in sleep apnea after supraglottoplasty in infants with laryngomalacia. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2011;75(10):1234–1239. Doi: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2011.06.021
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijporl.2011.06...
,2323 Durvasula VSPB, Lawson BR, Bower CM, Richter GT. Supraglottoplasty in premature infants with laryngomalacia: does gestation age at birth influence outcomes? Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2014;150(02):292–299,2424 Givens V, Brent K, Dunham M, Kanotra SP. Cricopharyngeal achalasia associated with laryngomalacia as a cause of failure to thrive. J Laryngol Otol 2018;132(09):852–855,2525 Scott BL, Lam D, MacArthur C. Laryngomalacia and swallow dysfunction. Ear Nose Throat J 2019;98(10):613–616 were published between 2009 and 2019 and, for the most part, are cross-sectional articles. Together, they make up 330 patients with LM. Of these, 311 underwent SGP. The average age was 4 months. The types of swallowing evaluation performed were the clinical evaluation of swallowing, VFSS, and videoendoscopy of swallowing.

Fig. 1
Study selection flowchart.

Table 2
Characteristics of the included studies

Table 3 shows the prevalence of presentation of dysphagia data before and after SGP, according to what was presented in each of the studies. Such data were used to perform meta-analysis, when possible. In all, 196 cases of pre SGP dysphagia and 62 cases after SGP surgery were identified in the studies.

Table 3
Prevalence of presentation of dysphagia data before and after supraglottoplasty surgery

Figure 2 shows the meta-analysis for the proportion of children with LM who presented dysphagia, which included 6 studies,2020 Richter GT, Rutter MJ, deAlarcon A, Orvidas LJ, Thompson DM. Late-onset laryngomalacia: a variant of disease. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2008;134(01):75–80. Doi: 10.1001/archoto.2007.17
https://doi.org/10.1001/archoto.2007.17...
,2121 Rastatter JC, Schroeder JW, Hoff SR, Holinger LD. Aspiration before and after Supraglottoplasty regardless of Technique. Int J Otolaryngol 2010;2010:912814. Doi: 10.1155/2010/912814
https://doi.org/10.1155/2010/912814...
,2222 Powitzky R, Stoner J, Fisher T, Digoy GP. Changes in sleep apnea after supraglottoplasty in infants with laryngomalacia. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2011;75(10):1234–1239. Doi: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2011.06.021
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijporl.2011.06...
,2323 Durvasula VSPB, Lawson BR, Bower CM, Richter GT. Supraglottoplasty in premature infants with laryngomalacia: does gestation age at birth influence outcomes? Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2014;150(02):292–299,2424 Givens V, Brent K, Dunham M, Kanotra SP. Cricopharyngeal achalasia associated with laryngomalacia as a cause of failure to thrive. J Laryngol Otol 2018;132(09):852–855,2525 Scott BL, Lam D, MacArthur C. Laryngomalacia and swallow dysfunction. Ear Nose Throat J 2019;98(10):613–616 with a proportion of dysphagia in 72% of the patients, with a high heterogeneity (95% confidence interval [CI] = 31–93.6., I2 = 88%). In ►Figure 3, a meta-analysis was presented for the proportion of children with LM and dysphagia after the SGP procedure, with a proportion of dysphagia being identified in 23% of patients, with a high heterogeneity (95% CI = 10.9–42., I2 = 89%).

Fig. 2
Meta-analysis of the frequency of dysphagia in children with laryngomalacia.

Fig. 3
Meta-analysis of the frequency of dysphagia in children with laryngomalacia postsupraglottoplasty surgery.

Figure 4 presents a meta-analysis with a random effect model on the effect of SGP in reducing oropharyngeal dysphagia in children with LM. The proportions of dysphagia pre and post SGP were compared, which included 6 articles.2020 Richter GT, Rutter MJ, deAlarcon A, Orvidas LJ, Thompson DM. Late-onset laryngomalacia: a variant of disease. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2008;134(01):75–80. Doi: 10.1001/archoto.2007.17
https://doi.org/10.1001/archoto.2007.17...
,2121 Rastatter JC, Schroeder JW, Hoff SR, Holinger LD. Aspiration before and after Supraglottoplasty regardless of Technique. Int J Otolaryngol 2010;2010:912814. Doi: 10.1155/2010/912814
https://doi.org/10.1155/2010/912814...
,2222 Powitzky R, Stoner J, Fisher T, Digoy GP. Changes in sleep apnea after supraglottoplasty in infants with laryngomalacia. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2011;75(10):1234–1239. Doi: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2011.06.021
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijporl.2011.06...
,2323 Durvasula VSPB, Lawson BR, Bower CM, Richter GT. Supraglottoplasty in premature infants with laryngomalacia: does gestation age at birth influence outcomes? Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2014;150(02):292–299,2424 Givens V, Brent K, Dunham M, Kanotra SP. Cricopharyngeal achalasia associated with laryngomalacia as a cause of failure to thrive. J Laryngol Otol 2018;132(09):852–855,2525 Scott BL, Lam D, MacArthur C. Laryngomalacia and swallow dysfunction. Ear Nose Throat J 2019;98(10):613–616 This meta-analysis demonstrated that after SGP there was a 59% reduction in the prevalence of dysphagia with high heterogeneity (PR 0.41 [95% CI 0.13–1.27], I2 = 93%).

Fig. 4
Dysphagia meta-analysis post versus presupraglottoplasty.

Discussion

It is known that LM is one of the causes of swallowing disorders, both because it is an anatomical abnormality that affects the aerodigestive tract, and because it possibly compromises the coordination between suction/ swallowing and breathing functions. However, there are still few studies with methodological rigor in order to identify the prevalence of such symptoms in the population of children with LM or the change in presentation after SGP surgery.

In this systematic review, an expressive frequency of children with LM who presented with dysphagia was identified—considered in this study as presentation of laryngotracheal penetration and/or aspiration. Also, that this frequency decreases after the SGP procedure is performed, and it may perhaps be directed as a procedure for children with LM and dysphagia.

The study by Powitzky et al.2222 Powitzky R, Stoner J, Fisher T, Digoy GP. Changes in sleep apnea after supraglottoplasty in infants with laryngomalacia. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2011;75(10):1234–1239. Doi: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2011.06.021
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijporl.2011.06...
presented a deviation in the meta-analysis, showing a higher occurrence of dysphagia in the postoperative period of SGP than patients presented preoperatively. This study evaluated the patients in the immediate postoperative period, and we considered this to be a possibility of bias, since these patients still have low sensitivity of oropharyngeal structures and decreased protective reflexes.2626 Sassi FC, Medeiros GC, Zambon LS, Zilberstein B, Andrade CRF. Avaliação e classificação da disfagia pós-extubação em pacientes críticos. Rev Col Bras Cir 2018;45(03):e1687 The authors also reported in their article that none of the 9 patients who presented dysphagia in the postoperative period continued to present dysphagia 1 month after SGP, suggesting that these children may experience transient dysphagia after the surgical procedure.

The study by Rasttater et al.2121 Rastatter JC, Schroeder JW, Hoff SR, Holinger LD. Aspiration before and after Supraglottoplasty regardless of Technique. Int J Otolaryngol 2010;2010:912814. Doi: 10.1155/2010/912814
https://doi.org/10.1155/2010/912814...
showed an increase in the frequency of oropharyngeal dysphagia in some patients after SGP. The non-establishment of time to perform the swallowing assessment is considered a determining factor since the study considered the VFSS from 24 to 48 hours after the procedure. Still, we consider that the increased prevalence of dysphagia in this study may be associated with the surgical techniques used for SGP, since this study evaluated two interventions cold steel SGP and CO2 laser SGP, which can be a determining factor for the difference between other studies in the literature.

The present study did not propose a comparison between surgical techniques for SGP and its impact on the reduction of dysphagia in children with laryngomalacia, which is one of the possibilities for future studies, since Rasttater et al.2121 Rastatter JC, Schroeder JW, Hoff SR, Holinger LD. Aspiration before and after Supraglottoplasty regardless of Technique. Int J Otolaryngol 2010;2010:912814. Doi: 10.1155/2010/912814
https://doi.org/10.1155/2010/912814...
presents the comparison between techniques with different impact in swallowing of children with LM.

As limitations of this work, it can be highlighted that many of the included studies did not present important data, such as the gender of the participants and methodological weaknesses. The selected articles are heterogeneous and differ in several points, such as homogeneity of the comorbidities associated with the study population, main outcomes analyzed, outcome measures used and their standardization, among others.

The high heterogeneity identified in the meta-analyses can be justified by the heterogeneity of the population with LM, also identified in clinical practice. They are children with other associated comorbidities, and the vast majority with GER, as reported in the literature.22 Dobbie AM, White DR. Laryngomalacia. Pediatr Clin North Am 2013;60(04):893–902,44 Rathi A, Rathi S. Relative imbalance as etiology of laryngomalacia - A new theory. Med Hypotheses 2017;98:38–41. Doi: 10.1016/j.mehy.2016.11.004
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mehy.2016.11.0...
It is relevant to show that homogenizing this sample would not represent the real findings of patients in hospital admissions, who have multiple comorbidities.

In cases in which swallowing assessment was performed after SGP, not all studies reported how long after the procedure the assessment was performed, which can also interfere with the findings, since surgical interventions, especially those that change the anatomophysiology of the organs and structures involved in the swallowing process, can modify, in turn, the swallowing dynamics, which can be a causative factor of dysphagia.

Final Comments

Through the present study, it was possible to verify a high frequency of dysphagia in children up to 2 years of age with LM, and that this frequency is reduced after the SGP procedure. There was a 59% reduction in the presentation of dysphagia immediately after the procedure—with high heterogeneity.

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Publication Dates

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

History

  • Received
    09 July 2021
  • Accepted
    28 June 2022
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