Interarytenoid Sodium Carboxymethylcellulose Gel Injection for Management of Pediatric Aspiration

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the role of interarytenoid injection laryngoplasty (IL) for the management of pediatric aspiration. Methods: Medical records of 30 patients, 9 female, with radiographically confirmed chronic aspiration who underwent intraoperative IL were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical improvement was defined as successful advancement of feeds to thinner consistencies. Results: Clinical improvement was observed in 57% of patients. Six children with type I posterior laryngeal cleft (PLC-1) were not significantly more likely to show improvement compared to the children without PLC-1. Type 1 posterior laryngeal cleft was associated with older age and higher prevalence of neurodevelopmental risk factors relative to absence of PLC-1. Patients with PLC-1 were more likely than noncleft patients to show recurrence of symptoms after initial improvement with IL. Five patients underwent endoscopic repair. Repair was successful in 3 patients who improved after IL but not in 2 patients who did not improve after IL. Conclusion: Chronic aspiration can improve after IL even in patients with normal anatomy. Injection laryngoplasty can be performed to improve selection of PLC-1 patients for definitive endoscopic repair. Further prospective research, with a randomized control group, is needed to understand whether interarytenoid incompetence plays a role in some patients with chronic aspiration, who do not have a PLC-1.