Laryngomalacia: Our Clinical Experience

Objective: The aim of this study is to analyse the clinical symptoms, follow-up and treatment properties of the laryngomalacia patients that we encountered between 2009 and 2014. Methods: Records of 81 laryngomalacia patients who were followed up in our clinic between 2009 and 2014 were retrospectively analysed. Patients' gender, age, time of onset of the symptoms, chief complaints, other co-existing congenital laryngeal anomalies and treatment and follow-up properties were evaluated. Results: Of the 81 patients, 48 were male and 33 were female, and the mean age was 4.9 months. The average period of follow-up was 12.1 months. The chief complaints at the time of admission were stridor (100%) and episodic cyanosis with feeding (27.16%). Symptoms of 75 patients were resolved at an average of 8.2 months with conservative treatment. Three patients underwent supraglottoplasty. Tracheotomy and posterior cordotomy was performed for a patient with co-existing vocal cord paralysis. Additional tracheotomy was necessary for a patient with pulmonary co-morbidities and for another with co-existing subglottic stenosis. Conclusion: Laryngomalacia is the most common cause of stridor in infants. The majority of laryngomalacia patients can be managed conservatively by close follow-up. For patients in whom respiratory and feeding problems persist or growth retardation develops, surgical treatment is performed. Tracheotomy may be necessary for a small group of patients with additional diseases.