Management of laryngomalacies : about 25 cases

Abstract

Introduction : Laryngomalacia is the leading cause of stridor in neonates and infants. The aim of our study was to describe the diagnosis process and codify the therapeutic management of this disease. Methods : This retrospective study concerned 25 cases of laryngomalacia collected at our institution over a period of 4 years (January 2007-December 2010). Results : The average age of our patients was 5.1 months with a Sex-ratio of 2.1. The diagnosis was made by the flexible nasofibroscopy in 96% of cases. Direct laryngoscopy was performed in 11 cases. The most frequent type of laryngomalacia was the type V. The frequency of severe form was 32%. Medical treatment was indicated in 17 patients. In this group, the disappearance of stridor was noted in 15 infants an average of 7 months. The supraglottoplastie was performed in 8 infants. The evolution was good with disappearance of stridor in seven patients. The average follow-up was 18 months. Conclusion : The evolution of laryngomalacia to spontaneous recovery makes it a benign pathology in the majority of cases. However, the frequency of severe form is significant requiring urgent surgery based on supraglottoplastie.