Abstract
Laryngomalacia is the most common cause of stridor in infants.It usually resolves without therapy by 12 to 18 months of age.In severe cases, however, it results in feeding difficulty, failure to thrive and obstructive apnea.Our experience of 11 infants (age: 1 manth-16 months) with severe laryngomalacia who underwent YAG (Yttrium-Alminium-Garnet) laser laryngoplasty is reviewed.All 11 infants demonstrated significant clinical improvements, and feeding difficulty and obstructive apnea disappeared after laser laryngoplasty.No intra-or postoperative complications were observed.Pulmonary function tests showed limitation of peak inspiratory flow before laser laryngoplasty, and it disappeared after laser laryngoplasty.One patient required additional laser laryngoplasty after upper respiratory infection.Including the above mentioned case, all patients had a good clinical course after laser laryngoplasty.Laser laryngoplasty is considered to be an appropriate therapy for treatment of severe laryngomalacia.
