International Pediatric Otolaryngology Group: Consensus guidelines on the diagnosis and management of type I laryngeal clefts.

INTRODUCTION

The diagnosis and management of type I laryngeal clefts can be controversial and varies across centers and surgeons. Using existing peer-reviewed literature to develop an expert-based consensus will help guide physicians in the treatment of these patients as well as develop research hypotheses to further study this condition.

OBJECTIVE

To provide recommendations for the diagnosis and management of type I laryngeal clefts.

METHODS

Determination of current expert- and literature-based recommendations, via a survey of the International Pediatric Otolaryngology Group, using a modified Delphi method.

SETTING

Multinational, multi-institutional, tertiary pediatric hospitals.

RESULTS

Consensus recommendations include diagnostic workup, medical management, pre-operative, intra-operative and post-operative considerations for type I laryngeal clefts.

CONCLUSIONS

This guide on the diagnosis and management of patients with type I laryngeal clefts is aimed at improving patient care and promoting future hypothesis generation and research to validate the recommendations made here.