Owusu James A, Sidman James D, Anderson Glen F
Department of Otolaryngology, University of Minnesota, 420 Delaware St., Minneapolis, MN 55455, United States.
Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2011 Sep;75(9):1207-9. doi: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2011.06.010. Epub 2011 Jul 12.
Laryngotracheoesophageal cleft (LTEC) is a rare congenital anomaly that results from failed posterior fusion of the cricoid cartilage and incomplete development of the tracheoesophageal septum. LTEC presents with increased secretions, respiratory distress, aspiration and recurrent pulmonary infections. The severity of presenting symptoms is dependent on the type of cleft. LTEC is most commonly classified into four types (I, II, III and IV) based on the inferior extent of the cleft. Types III and IV LTEC are associated with high morbidity and mortality and require timely diagnosis and repair for survival. Most patients who survive repair of Type IV LTEC have long-term tracheotomy dependency with minimal chance of decannulation. We report on a case of a long-term survivor of Type IV who has been safely decannulated.
喉气管食管裂（LTEC）是一种罕见的先天性畸形，由环状软骨后融合失败和气管食管隔发育不完全所致。LTEC表现为分泌物增多、呼吸窘迫、误吸和反复肺部感染。所呈现症状的严重程度取决于裂的类型。LTEC最常根据裂的下延范围分为四种类型（I、II、III和IV型）。III型和IV型LTEC与高发病率和死亡率相关，需要及时诊断和修复以存活。大多数IV型LTEC修复术后存活的患者长期依赖气管切开术，拔管机会极小。我们报告一例IV型LTEC的长期存活者已成功拔管的病例。
