Abstract
Introduction: Laryngotracheoesophageal clefts (LTEC) are well-known
aspiration-associated lesions. Results of swallow studies, and
respiratory, feeding, and swallowing symptoms are commonly used
indications for repair, despite being unclear predictors of disease.
Although lung inflammation and injury are primary concerns, such
findings are uncommonly and inconsistently evaluated and reported and
therefore it remains unclear how well swallow studies predict lung
disease. Methods: Children seen in our Aerodigestive program 10/1/2012
and 9/30/2023, with a LTEC and a videofluoroscopic swallow study (VFSS)
or flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) were included.
Data regarding clinical history and risk factors, BAL, chest CT, and
impedance probe results were abstracted, along with VFSS/FEES results
and functional oral intake scale (FOIS-P/I) at baseline and follow-up.
Results: 82 subjects identified. Lung inflammation and bronchiectasis
were common and correlated. Clinical factors, impedance probe, and the
presence/severity of swallowing abnormalities on VFSS/FEES were not
predictive of lung disease. 57 patients underwent LTEC repair for a
range of indications, only 49% based on CT and/or BAL findings. LTEC
repair was associated with a trend towards improvement feeding and
swallowing, yet none of these met statistical significance. Discussion:
Children with LTEC have a high prevalence of inflammatory lung disease
and injury and undergo repair for a variety of reasons. The insufficient
ability of swallow study to identify patients with lung disease suggests
that such studies identify functional abnormalities but not a disease
state, per se. Nevertheless, LTEC repair is associated with improvements
in feeding and swallowing in a subset of patients.