About Laryngeal Cleft Repair
Key Highlights
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Corrects a congenital defect between the airway and food pipe.Prevents aspiration, reducing risk of recurrent lung infections.Improves swallowing safety and feeding ability, especially in infants.Can be performed using minimally invasive endoscopic techniques.Focuses on functional and aesthetic reconstruction of the larynx.Leads to significant improvement in overall quality of life and development./ul
Who is this surgery for?
- Confirmed diagnosis of a laryngeal cleft (Type I-IV) via endoscopic evaluation.
- Recurrent aspiration pneumonia or chronic lung disease due to aspiration.
- Significant coughing, choking, or cyanosis during feeding.
- Failure to thrive or poor weight gain in infants due to feeding difficulties.
- Chronic respiratory symptoms like wheezing or stridor not explained by other causes.
- Life-threatening airway compromise directly linked to the cleft.
How to prepare
- Comprehensive diagnostic workup, including microlaryngoscopy and bronchoscopy to assess cleft type and size.
- Pre-operative imaging studies such as a modified barium swallow or CT scan may be required.
- Consultation with a multidisciplinary team including pediatric pulmonology, gastroenterology, and speech therapy.
- Nutritional optimization; may involve temporary feeding tube placement.
- Management of any active respiratory infections prior to surgery.
- Pre-anesthetic evaluation and clear instructions regarding fasting before the procedure.
Risks & possible complications
- Bleeding, infection, or reaction to anesthesia.
- Persistent or recurrent aspiration if repair is incomplete.
- Injury to surrounding structures like vocal cords, leading to voice changes or hoarseness.
- Stenosis (narrowing) of the larynx or esophagus.
- Leakage or breakdown of the surgical repair site (dehiscence).
- Need for revision surgery, especially in complex or high-grade clefts.
- Formation of granulation tissue or scar tissue at the repair site.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Initial recovery in a monitored setting, often in an ICU for close airway observation.
- Patient will typically have a breathing tube (endotracheal tube) for a short period post-op.
- Nutrition is initially provided intravenously or via a nasogastric tube to allow the repair to heal.
- Gradual reintroduction of oral feeds under the guidance of a speech-language pathologist.
- Strict avoidance of coughing or straining; medications may be given to suppress cough.
- Follow-up endoscopic exams are scheduled to assess healing and the success of the repair.
- Long-term follow-up for monitoring growth, development, and swallowing function.
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Typical hospital stay: 5-10 days
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Expected recovery time: 3-6 weeks for initial healing; full functional recovery may take several months
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering laryngeal cleft repair in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Top-rated hospitals in India with aesthetic and reconstructive surgery departments and experienced surgeons are ideal for this procedure. Use MediFyr to compare facilities, reviews, and doctor profiles before you decide.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform laryngeal cleft repair. MediFyr helps you compare aesthetic and reconstructive surgeons and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for laryngeal cleft repair compare across other countries where we have data.
| Country | Estimated cost range | Typical stay | Recovery time | View details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | INR 250 Thousand – 600 Thousand | 5-10 days | ~ 3-6 weeks for initial healing; full functional recovery may take several months | Know More |
| Turkey | TRY 875 Thousand – 2.1 Million | 5-10 days | ~ 3-6 weeks for initial healing; full functional recovery may take several months | Know More |
Robert Malhotra, a 68-year-old retired history...
Robert Malhotra, a 68-year-old retired history professor, had a persistent, wet cough and recurrent pneumonia for two years following a stroke that left him with swallowing difficulties. He was constantly clearing his throat and had lost his love for food, fearing every meal might lead to another lung infection. His voice had become weak and breathy. After a series of tests, his otolaryngologist diagnosed a deep Type II laryngeal cleft, likely exacerbated by age-related tissue changes and his post-stroke condition. The doctor recommended a repair via endoscopic surgery to close the abnormal opening between his larynx and esophagus, explaining it would protect his lungs and improve his quality of life. Robert underwent the procedure under general anesthesia. The recovery was challenging, with a temporary feeding tube and strict voice rest, but he was diligent. Six weeks post-op, his cough was gone, his pneumonia episodes ceased, and his voice regained strength. Emotionally, he transformed from a man living in constant fear of choking and infection to feeling secure and reinvigorated, finally able to enjoy quiet dinners with his wife and read aloud to his grandchildren without strain.
Aesthetic and Reconstructive surgeons for Laryngeal Cleft Repair
Explore experienced aesthetic and reconstructive surgeons who regularly perform laryngeal cleft repair and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 18 Years Experience
- Aesthetic and Reconstructive surgeon
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 10 Years Experience
- Aesthetic and Reconstructive surgeon
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 8 Years Experience
- Aesthetic and Reconstructive surgeon
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 19 Years Experience
- Aesthetic and Reconstructive surgeon
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 19 Years Experience
- Aesthetic and Reconstructive surgeon
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 15 Years Experience
- Aesthetic and Reconstructive surgeon
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 15 Years Experience
- Aesthetic and Reconstructive surgeon
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 31 Years Experience
- Aesthetic and Reconstructive surgeon
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 12 Years Experience
- Aesthetic and Reconstructive surgeon
Manipal Hospital Patiala, Patiala
- 11 Years Experience
- Aesthetic and Reconstructive surgeon
Manipal Hospital Vijayawada, vijayawada
- 30 Years Experience
- Aesthetic and Reconstructive surgeon
SIMS Hospital Vadapalani, Chennai
- 19 Years Experience
- Aesthetic and Reconstructive surgeon
SIMS Hospital Vadapalani, Chennai
- 49 Years Experience
- Aesthetic and Reconstructive surgeon
SIMS Hospital Vadapalani, Chennai
- 22 Years Experience
- Aesthetic and Reconstructive surgeon
Manipal Hospital Hebbal, Bangalore
- 17 Years Experience
- Aesthetic and Reconstructive surgeon
Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneshwar
- 17 Years Experience
- Aesthetic and Reconstructive surgeon
Artemis Hospital Gurgaon, Gurgaon
- 16 Years Experience
- Aesthetic and Reconstructive surgeon
Artemis Hospital Gurgaon, Gurgaon
- 14 Years Experience
- Aesthetic and Reconstructive surgeon
Manipal Hospital Gurgaon, Gurgaon
- 14 Years Experience
- Aesthetic and Reconstructive surgeon
- 20 Years Experience
- Aesthetic and Reconstructive surgeon
Manipal Hospital Ghaziabad, Ghaziabad