Laryngeal (laryngotracheo-oesophageal) clefts are relatively rare, but are being reported with increasing frequency. The condition is of particular interest to paediatric anaesthetists, but may present in adults and may be encountered by any anaesthetist called to assist an infant in respiratory distress. Its presentation has features in common with most respiratory disorders of infancy and it should be considered in the differential diagnosis. Increased mortality and morbidity is linked to failed early diagnosis. Successful management requires both an awareness of the possible diagnosis and employment of modified techniques to avoid potential pitfalls of intubation. Perioperative management presents anaesthetic challenges at all stages. This article aims to discuss these challenges and highlight the associated syndromes in which the defect may be encountered.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.