Bb. Simpson et al., TYPE-IV LARYNGOTRACHEOESOPHAGEAL CLEFTS - SURGICAL-MANAGEMENT FOR LONG-TERM SURVIVAL, Journal of pediatric surgery, 31(8), 1996, pp. 1128-1133
Complete laryngotracheoesophageal clefts (types III and IV) are rare c
ongenital anomalies that occur when the primitive foregut fails to sep
arate into the tracheobronchial tree and the esophagus. This article s
ummarizes a 10-year institutional experience with six infants who had
type IV clefts, presents a modification of the authors' surgical appro
ach, and identifies pitfalls in the management of these infants. Three
of the six children are long-term survivors. The recognition of speci
fic complicating issues leads to a standardized approach, which can re
sult in successful repair and long-term survival. Copyright (C) 1996 b
y W.B. Saunders Company.