The posterior laryngeal cleft is a rare congenital malformation of the larynx, with an estimated incidence of 1 in 10,000–20,000 children born alive. Despite the apparent obviousness of the pathology, the diagnosis of the posterior cleft of the larynx often causes difficulties, which is associated with a variety of clinical symptoms, primarily due to the varying prevalence of the pathological process. Objective: To analyze the results of treatment of patients with congenital laryngeal cleft. Materials and methods: A retrospective analysis of case histories of children in the department of otolaryngology of the clinic of the St. Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University, from 2003 to 2018, diagnosed with congenital malformation of the larynx, posterior laryngeal cleft, was performed. Results: Normal respiration and nutrition through the natural pathways was achieved in 13 children with type I cleft and in 2 with type IIIa. Three patients with IIIa and IIIb types of clefts could not be rehabilitated due to severe concomitant somatic and neurological pathology, for which they continue treatment with relevant specialists at the present time. Conclusions: Rehabilitation of patients with laryngeal cleft of type IIIa and IIIb, especially in the presence of severe concomitant somatic and neurological pathology, does not always give positive results.
Rapid Progression of Neonatal Respiratory Distress from Laryngeal Cleft Type I: A Case Report