Abstract
Cleft larynx, which is a mild type of laryngotracheoesophageal cleft, has been thought to be extremely rare. A case of cleft larynx, with esophageal atresia, inperforate anus and accessory ear, is reported.
The patient showed dysphagia and stridor following normal gestation and birth. After repair of the esophageal atresia, she still suffered from stridor. At 6 months, she was referred to our Department of Otolaryngology, and laryngoscopy and X-ray study revealed a type II laryngotracheoesophageal cleft classified by Benjamin-Inglis.
Since the patient did not suffer from aspiration and the stridor was disappeared gradually in about one year, she was followed for 4 years without any surgical intervention.
It is a matter of course that the life-threatening aspiration due to cleft larynx requires surgical intervention. However, even though a laryngeal cleft exists, surgical repair is not always necessary when laryngeal function is fully compensated, as in this case.
