Rapid Progression of Neonatal Respiratory Distress from Laryngeal Cleft Type I: A Case Report

Abstract

A one-month-old boy showed cyanosis and severe retraction on crying. He underwent diagnostic rigid bronchoscopy under general anesthesia, maintaining spontaneous ventilation. Rigid bronchoscopy revealed laryngeal cleft type I and excessive mucosa in the interarytenoid space that protruded into the subglottic area, very unusual findings in laryngeal cleft. His clinical condition quickly deteriorated and tracheotomy was performed to prevent complete airway obstruction in the few days until surgical repair of the cleft. Tracheotomy is unnecessary in most cases of the laryngeal cleft type I, but it may be needed if the patient's airway is severely compromised.