TYPE-IV LARYNGOTRACHEOESOPHAGEAL CLEFTS - SURGICAL-MANAGEMENT FOR LONG-TERM SURVIVAL

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.