Two cases of type 1 laryngeal cleft

Abstract

Laryngeal cleft is a particularly rare congenital deformity of the larynx. The symptoms vary and range from asymptomatic cases, to cases in which respiratory symptoms such as stridor, aspiration and hoarseness are observed immediately after birth. Benjamin and Inglis classified laryngeal cleft as types 1 to 4 according to the depth of the cleft. We experienced 2 case of type 1 laryngeal cleft in patients in whom aspiration was the main complaint. In both of the type 1 cases, the symptoms improved over a follow-up period of several years. Laryngeal cleft is difficult to diagnose during childhood. We herein report the method of diagnosis and the clinical course of two cases.