Vocal cord reconstruction to treat aspiration caused by a post-intubation posterior glottic furrow

Intubation-Related Laryngeal Deficiency and Vocal Fold Immobility in Pediatric Premature Patients

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS

We report a posterior laryngeal rating system and measures of voice disability in pediatric patients undergoing phonosurgery for vocal fold paralysis. Posterior glottic deficiency may account for persistent voice disability.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective Study.

METHODS

Retrospective analyses of 66 subjects with primary unilateral vocal fold paralysis were reviewed for the status of posterior glottis and voice disability (Pediatric Voice Handicap Index [pVHI]). Gestation age (GA), weight, and medical/surgical history were reviewed. The width, length, and depth of the larynx were analyzed to create a reproducible rating scale.

RESULTS

Mean GA was 29 weeks, with an intubation history for all subjects, with 90% having a left vocal fold immobility. Cardiac surgery was performed in 92% of subjects. A progressive rating (type 0-3) Benjamin Defect Severity Scale (BDSS) was developed to rate the absence or presence of a posterior abnormality. BDSS-2 and BDSS-3 subjects were more likely to have low birth weight. Extremely preterm GA was more likely to be associated with BDSS-1 (mild) or BDSS-2. History of multiple and prolonged intubations were seen more frequently in BDSS-2 or BDSS-3. Post-op pVHI reduced an average of 15 points for BDSS-0 to BDSS-2, but only 3 points for BDSS-3. Post-op pVHI matched normal values for preintervention dysphonic children.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of a persistent breathy voice after intervention for unilateral vocal fold immobility is potentially associated with posterior glottic defects. Low birth weight with multiple/prolonged intubation is more likely to be present with higher-grade BDs, whereas low GA is more likely to be associated with BDSS-1 to BDSS-2.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4 Laryngoscope, 2021.

Upper Airway Pathology Contributes to Respiratory Symptoms in Children Born Very Preterm

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the role of upper airway dysfunction, indicated by altered vocal quality (dysphonia), on the respiratory symptoms of children surviving very preterm birth.

STUDY DESIGN

Children born <32 weeks of gestation participated in 2 separate assessments during midchildhood. The first visit assessed voice quality by a subjective evaluation using the Consensus Auditory-Perceptual Evaluation of Voice and a computerized analysis of the properties of the voice via the Acoustic Voice Quality Index. The second assessment recorded parentally reported respiratory symptoms and measures of lung function, including spirometry, lung volumes, oscillatory mechanics, and a cardiopulmonary exercise test.

RESULTS

Preterm children (n = 35; median gestation 24.3 weeks) underwent paired voice and lung assessments at approximately 11 years of age. Preterm children with dysphonia (n = 25) reported significantly more respiratory symptoms than those with normal voices (n = 10) including wheeze (92% vs 40%; P = .001) and asthma diagnosed by a physician (60% vs 10%; P = .007). Lung function outcomes were generally not different between the dysphonic group and the group with normal voice (P > .05), except for the oscillatory mechanics measures, which were all at least 0.5 z score lower in the dysphonic group (Xrs₈ mean difference = -0.91 z scores, P = .003; f_res = 1.06 z scores, P = .019; AX = -0.87 z scores, P = .010; Rrs₈ = 0.63 z scores, P = .068).

CONCLUSIONS

The upper airway may play a role in the respiratory symptoms experienced by some very preterm children and should be considered by clinicians, especially when symptoms are in the presence of normal lung function and are refractory to treatment.

Laryngeal pathology at school age following very preterm birth

INTRODUCTION

Intubation injury resulting in laryngeal pathology is recognised as a possible complication of preterm birth, yet few published studies have examined such pathology and its relation to voice outcomes. This study reports on the results of prospective laryngeal function examinations of a cohort of very preterm children, all of whom presented with significant dysphonia at school age.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The laryngeal pathology of 20 very preterm children, born between 23 and 29 weeks gestation, was examined under halogen and stroboscopic conditions. Laryngeal structure and function were assessed using a rigid laryngoscope or a flexible nasendoscope. The approach was selected based on the age and/or likely compliance of the child.

RESULTS

Nineteen children were found to have structural laryngeal pathology. Fourteen children presented with a chink to the posterior glottis and all demonstrated at least a mild degree of supraglottic hyperfunction. Other common findings were arytenoid prolapse and vocal fold immobility. More isolated findings included posterior scar band, vocal fold atrophy, arytenoid oedema and growth on the vocal folds. One child who presented with structural laryngeal pathology was never intubated.

DISCUSSION

Supraglottic hyperfunction was common to all participants, regardless of the nature and extent of underlying structural laryngeal pathology. Posterior glottic chink was the most common pattern of incomplete vocal fold closure. These data support the hypothesis that very preterm children adopt supraglottic tightening to compensate for underlying laryngeal pathology. The mechanism underlying laryngeal damage in the child who was not intubated is unclear.

CONCLUSIONS

Voice quality of very preterm children is affected by both laryngeal structure and function. A trial of behavioural voice treatment is recommended to evaluate any therapeutic response in this population.

Intubation-Related Dysphonia Following Extreme Preterm Birth: Case Studies in Behavioural Voice Intervention

Many more children than ever before survive and thrive following preterm birth (Saigal & Doyle, 2008). To date, research has focussed on medical, developmental, neurological, and behavioral outcomes. As the number of surviving children increases and survivors reach school age and beyond, it has become apparent that many children experience difficulties with voice production (French et al., 2013). Following preterm birth, endotracheal intubation may be necessary to deliver surfactant or relieve respiratory distress during the neonatal period (Ho, Subramaniam, Henderson-Smart, & Davis, 2002). Intubation injury to the larynx and resultant dysphonia are well described in the literature (Bray, Cavalli, Eze, Mills, & Hartley, 2010). This article presents a brief review of the literature relevant to intubation-related injury following preterm birth and 2 case studies of voice outcomes following a trial of behavioral voice therapy in extremely preterm children who were intubated.

Dysphonia in very preterm children: a review of the evidence

INTRODUCTION

Intubation is a known risk factor for dysphonia yet is essential in the perinatal care of many very preterm infants. Children born preterm, who are frequently resuscitated with endotracheal intubation, may be at risk of dysphonia at school age and beyond.

OBJECTIVES

To identify and describe the evidence pertaining to long-term voice outcomes and risk factors for developing dysphonia in preterm children.

RESULTS

In addition to case studies and series, three larger-scale studies have reported on dysphonia and voice outcomes in preterm children. Studies reporting treatment outcomes were not available. Factors associated with poor voice outcomes included female gender, birth weight <1,000 g, birth at <27 weeks' gestation, surgical closure of patent ductus arteriosus, emergency versus elective intubations and multiple intubations. Adverse voice outcomes were associated with laryngeal pathology and compensatory supraglottic compression.

CONCLUSIONS

Dysphonia is a newly reported, long-term complication of preterm birth, yet the number of relevant studies remains limited. Further research is required to confirm the risk factors for developing dysphonia, which will inform future voice treatment studies.