TRAUMATIC VOCAL FOLD AVULSION INJURY IN A NEWBORN

A full-term newborn developed respiratory compromise in the immediate postparturition period requiring urgent intubation. Evaluation of post extubation strider later the same day revealed an avulsion injury exte nding from the left vocal fold into the lateral glottic musculature. P rimary repair was accomplished with anatomic realignment of the torn v ocal fold and muscle. Endotracheal intubation was utilized for stentin g and the patient was extubated following 3 days of paralysis with sed ation. Follow-up examination revealed a reparative granuloma, which wa s lasered. Eight-week follow-up examination revealed normal vocal fold architecture. At 18 months the patient continues to have a normal voi ce and normal laryngeal development.