Safety and effectiveness of vocal fold injection laryngoplasty in infants less than one year of age.

INTRODUCTION: Injection laryngoplasty (IL) is commonly performed for unilateral vocal fold immobility (UVFI). However, the safety and efficacy in patients <1 year of age are not widely recognized. This study analyzes the safety and swallow outcomes in a cohort of patients <1 year who underwent IL.

METHODS: This retrospective analysis evaluated patients at a tertiary children's institution between 2015 and 2022. Patients were eligible if they underwent IL for UVFI and were <1 year at time of injection. Baseline characteristics, perioperative data, oral diet tolerance, and preoperative and postoperative swallow data were collected.

RESULTS: 49 patients were included, 12 (24%) of whom were premature. The average age at injection was 3.9 months (SD 3.8), time from UVFI onset to injection 1.3 months (2.0), and weight at injection 4.8 kg (2.1). The baseline American Association of Anesthesiologists physical status classification scores were 2 (14%), 3 (61%), and 4 (24%). 89% of patients had improvements in objective swallow function postoperatively. Of the 35 patients who were preoperatively enterally-dependent and did not have medical circumstances precluding advancement to oral feeds, 32 (n = 91%) tolerated an oral diet postoperatively. There were no long-term sequelae. Two patients had intraoperative laryngospasm, one intraoperative bronchospasm, and one with subglottic and posterior glottic stenosis was intubated for <12 h for increased work of breathing.

CONCLUSIONS: IL is a safe and effective intervention that can reduce aspiration and improve diet in patients <1 year old. This procedure can be considered at institutions with the appropriate personnel, resources, and infrastructure.