Role of fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) in children with suspected dysphagia.

OBJECTIVE: To assess FEES findings in defining oral feeding safety in children with suspected dysphagia, comparing them with clinical feeding evaluation results. METHODS: This study comprised a case series involving children with suspected dysphagia, referred for evaluation by otolaryngologists and speech-language pathologists (SLPs) at a Brazilian quaternary public university hospital. These children underwent both clinical evaluations and fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES), with a comprehensive collection of demographic and clinical data. Subsequently, the authors performed a comparative analysis of findings from both assessments. RESULTS: Most patients successfully completed the FEES procedure (93.7%), resulting in a final number of 60 cases included in the study. The prevalence of dysphagia was confirmed in a significant 88% of these cases. Suspected aspiration on clinical SLP evaluation was present in 34 patients. Of these, FEES confirmed aspiration or penetration in 28 patients. Among the 35 patients with aspiration or penetration on FEES, 7 (20%) had no suspicion on SLP clinical assessment. All seven patients in whom clinical SLP evaluation failed to predict penetration/aspiration had neurological disorders. The median age of the children was 2.8 years, and 49 (81.6%) had neurological disorders, while 35 (58.3%) had chronic pulmonary disease. The most prevalent complaints were choking (41.6%) and sialorrhea (23.3%). CONCLUSION: FEES can diagnose structural anomalies of the upper aerodigestive tract and significantly contribute to the detection of aspiration and penetration in this group of patients with suspected dysphagia, identifying moderate and severe dysphagia even in cases where clinical assessment had no suspicion.

Position paper of diagnosis and treatment of post-extubation laryngitis in a multidisciplinary expert-based opinion.

OBJECTIVES: To make recommendations on the diagnosis and treatment of post-extubation laryngitis (PEL) in children with or without other comorbidities. METHODS: A three-iterative modified Delphi method was applied. Specialists were recruited representing pediatric otolaryngologists, pediatric and neonatal intensivists. Questions and statements approached topics encompassing definition, diagnosis, endoscopic airway evaluation, risk factors, comorbidities, management, and follow-up. A consensus was defined as a supermajority >70%. RESULTS: Stridor was considered the most frequent symptom and airway endoscopy was recommended for definitive diagnosis. Gastroesophageal reflux and previous history of intubation were considered risk factors. Specific length of intubation did not achieve a consensus as a risk factor. Systemic corticosteroids should be part of the medical treatment and dexamethasone was the drug of choice. No consensus was achieved regarding dosage of corticosteroids, although endoscopic findings help defining dosage and length of treatment. Non-invasive ventilation, laryngeal rest, and use of comfort sedation scales were recommended. Indications for microlaryngoscopy and bronchoscopy under anesthesia were symptoms progression or failure to improve after the first 72-h of medical treatment post-extubation, after two failed extubations, and/or suspicion of severe lesions on flexible fiberoptic laryngoscopy. CONCLUSIONS: Management of post-extubation laryngitis is challenging and can be facilitated by a multidisciplinary approach. Airway endoscopy is mandatory and impacts decision-making, although there is no consensus regarding dosage and length of treatment.

Initial evaluation of a multidisciplinary pediatric aerodigestive program in a Brazilian hospital: challenges and mitigation strategies.

OBJECTIVE: To identify clinical and epidemiological characteristics of children evaluated by the pediatric aerodigestive program at the beginning of its activity, describe challenges in follow-up, and suggest mitigation strategies. METHODS: A case series was conducted describing the first 25 patients discussed by the aerodigestive team from a Brazilian quaternary public university hospital between April 2019 and October 2020. The median follow-up was 37 months. RESULTS: During the study period 25 children were seen by the group and the median age at first assessment was 45.7 months old. Eight children had a primary airway abnormality, five had a tracheostomy. Nine children had genetic disorders and one had esophageal atresia. Dysphagia was present in 80% of the patients, 68% had a history of chronic or recurrent lung disease, 64% had a gastroenterological diagnosis and 56% had neurological impairment. Moderate to severe dysphagia was identified in 12 children and 7 of these had an exclusive oral diet at the time. The majority of children (72%) had 3 or more comorbidities. Following team discussion, a change in feeding strategy was suggested in 56% of the children. The most frequently ordered exam was pHmetry (44%) and gastrostomy was the surgical procedure with the longest waiting list. CONCLUSIONS: Dysphagia was the most frequent issue encountered in this initial group of aerodigestive patients. Pediatricians caring for these children must be involved in aerodigestive team discussions and hospital policies must be revised to facilitate access to exams and procedures needed for this population.

Initial evaluation of a multidisciplinary pediatric aerodigestive program in a Brazilian hospital: challenges and mitigation strategies

Abstract Objective: To identify clinical and epidemiological characteristics of children evaluated by the pediatric aerodigestive program at the beginning of its activity, describe challenges in followup, and suggest mitigation strategies. Methods: A case series was conducted describing the first 25 patients discussed by the aerodigestive team from a Brazilian quaternary public university hospital between April 2019 and October 2020. The median follow-up was 37 months. Results: During the study period 25 children were seen by the group and the median age at first assessment was 45.7 months old. Eight children had a primary airway abnormality, five had a tracheostomy. Nine children had genetic disorders and one had esophageal atresia. Dysphagia was present in 80% of the patients, 68% had a history of chronic or recurrent lung disease, 64% had a gastroenterological diagnosis and 56% had neurological impairment. Moderate to severe dysphagia was identified in 12 children and 7 of these had an exclusive oral diet at the time. The majority of children (72%) had 3 or more comorbidities. Following team discussion, a change in feeding strategy was suggested in 56% of the children. The most frequently ordered exam was pHmetry (44%) and gastrostomy was the surgical procedure with the longest waiting list. Conclusions: Dysphagia was the most frequent issue encountered in this initial group of aerodigestive patients. Pediatricians caring for these children must be involved in aerodigestive team discussions and hospital policies must be revised to facilitate access to exams and procedures needed for this population.

Congenital laryngeal webs: from diagnosis to surgical outcomes / Membranas laríngeas congênitas: do diagnóstico aos resultados cirúrgicos

Abstract Introduction: Congenital laryngeal webs are rare, may be associated with other airway abnormalities and be one of many features of microdeletion 22q11. Meticulous evaluation is imperative when deciding which surgical technique to use. The choice of appropriate stenting may be decisive to avoid persistent anterior commissure synechia and poor voice results. Objective: To report outcomes for endoscopic and open surgical approaches in the treatment of congenital laryngeal webs and the challenges one may encounter while applying the current classification and deciding for the best treatment option. Methods: Retrospective review of medical and surgical charts for congenital laryngeal webs treated in two tertiary university centers. Results: Seven patients were included; following Cohen's classification there were: three type II webs, one of them with an atypical posterior synechia, two type III webs and two type IV webs. Six patients were submitted to laryngotracheal reconstruction and one was treated with an endoscopic approach. Description of precise glottic and subglottic involvement and tailored surgical options are presented. The LT mold® stent was used for long-term stenting that varied between 40 to 60 days. All patients were successfully decannulated with good voice quality and after follow-up of over one year, there were no complications associated with the surgeries. Conclusion: Congenital laryngeal webs should be suspected and thoroughly evaluated in the presence of neonatal dysphonia and early onset of laryngitis. Otolaryngologists must be familiar with associated lesions and genetic conditions that may be associated to congenital laryngeal webs. Congenital laryngeal webs may be successfully treated at an early age. The correct choice of surgical technique after meticulous evaluation of glottic and subglottic components of the web, presence of concomitant lesions and appropriate stenting, is imperative to avoid persistent scarring and poor voice quality.

Resumo Introdução: As membranas laríngeas congênitas são raras, podem estar associadas a outras anormalidades das vias aéreas e ser uma das muitas características da microdeleção 22q11. A avaliação cuidadosa é imprescindível na decisão de qual técnica cirúrgica deve ser usada. A escolha do stent apropriado pode ser decisiva para evitar sinéquia persistente da comissura anterior e maus resultados vocais. Objetivo: Relatar os resultados das abordagens cirúrgicas abertas e endoscópicas no tratamento das membranas laríngeas congênitas e os desafios que podem ser encontrados ao aplicar a classificação atual e decidir a melhor opção de tratamento. Método: Revisão retrospectiva de prontuários médicos e cirúrgicos de membranas laríngeas congênitas tratadas em dois centros universitários terciários. Resultados: Sete pacientes foram incluídos, de acordo com a classificação de Cohen: três membranas do tipo II, uma delas com sinéquia posterior atípica, duas membranas do tipo III e duas membranas do tipo IV. Seis pacientes foram submetidos à reconstrução laringotraqueal e um foi tratado por abordagem endoscópica. Descrição precisa do envolvimento glótico e subglótico e opções cirúrgicas personalizadas são apresentadas. O stent utilizado foi o LT mold® e o período variou entre 40 e 60 dias. Todos os pacientes foram decanulados com boa qualidade de voz e o seguimento foi superior a um ano, não houve complicações associadas às cirurgias. Conclusão: As membranas laríngeas congênitas devem ser suspeitadas e avaliadas minuciosamente na presença de disfonia neonatal e laringite de início precoce. Os otorrinolaringologistas devem estar familiarizados com lesões associadas e condições genéticas que podem estar associadas a membranas laríngeas congênitas. As membranas laríngeas congênitas são tratadas com sucesso em idades precoces. A escolha da técnica cirúrgica após avaliação meticulosa dos componentes glóticos e subglóticos da membrana, presença de lesões concomitantes e uso do stent adequado é imprescindível para evitar cicatrizes persistentes e má qualidade da voz.

Evaluation of Voice After Open Airway Surgery in Children: A Systematic Review.

Objective: This review aims to describe the methods used to assess the vocal quality and quality of life of children after airway reconstruction and their limitations. Data Sources: A systematic review was carried out in 10 databases for articles published between 2000 and 2021 following the PRISMA guidelines (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses). Review Methods: Articles were included that described perceptual voice assessment with or without acoustic measures and/or voice quality impact questionnaires. Articles with no description of a specific voice assessment were excluded. Results: A total of 12 studies were included, yielding 263 patients. The mean age at evaluation was 9 years. Follow-up varied from 5 months to 20 years with most patients being evaluated at least a year after surgery. Methods used to evaluate voice were perceptual, aerodynamic, and acoustic analysis and quality of life questionnaires. CAPE-V (Consensus Auditory Perceptual Evaluation-Voice) was the most used auditory-perceptual instrument (72.7%). Of the acoustic parameters, fundamental frequency and maximum phonation time were the most described (58.3%), and among the quality of life assessment questionnaires, pVHI (Pediatric Voice Handicap Index) was the most used (54.5%). Conclusion: Multidimensional evaluations tailored to the individual child can be recommended after open airway surgery. CAPE-V scale, fundamental frequency, maximum phonation time, and pVHI are the most frequently used methods; therefore, their use may help broaden communication among authors. In the multitude of methods available, cognitive ability and degree of voice disturbance should be considered since they are the most important limiting factors in this population.

Congenital laryngeal webs: from diagnosis to surgical outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: Congenital laryngeal webs are rare, may be associated with other airway abnormalities and be one of many features of microdeletion 22q11. Meticulous evaluation is imperative when deciding which surgical technique to use. The choice of appropriate stenting may be decisive to avoid persistent anterior commissure synechia and poor voice results. OBJECTIVE: To report outcomes for endoscopic and open surgical approaches in the treatment of congenital laryngeal webs and the challenges one may encounter while applying the current classification and deciding for the best treatment option. METHODS: Retrospective review of medical and surgical charts for congenital laryngeal webs treated in two tertiary university centers. RESULTS: Seven patients were included; following Cohen's classification there were: three type II webs, one of them with an atypical posterior synechia, two type III webs and two type IV webs. Six patients were submitted to laryngotracheal reconstruction and one was treated with an endoscopic approach. Description of precise glottic and subglottic involvement and tailored surgical options are presented. The LT mold® stent was used for long-term stenting that varied between 40 to 60 days. All patients were successfully decannulated with good voice quality and after follow-up of over one year, there were no complications associated with the surgeries. CONCLUSION: Congenital laryngeal webs should be suspected and thoroughly evaluated in the presence of neonatal dysphonia and early onset of laryngitis. Otolaryngologists must be familiar with associated lesions and genetic conditions that may be associated to congenital laryngeal webs. Congenital laryngeal webs may be successfully treated at an early age. The correct choice of surgical technique after meticulous evaluation of glottic and subglottic components of the web, presence of concomitant lesions and appropriate stenting, is imperative to avoid persistent scarring and poor voice quality.