• 대한기관식도과학회지
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• 제7권2호
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• pp.140-145
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• 2001

Background and Objectives： Intractable aspiration in patients with impaired protective function of the larynx often results in multiple episode of aspiration pneumonia, repeated hospitalizations and expensive nursing care. The purpose of this study was to review the authors’experience and Patient outcome with the laryngotracheal separation (LTS) procedure. Materials and Methods A retrospective review of 9 patients who underwent LTS between 1996 and 2001 was conducted. Ages ranged from 3 to 72 years. Results : Seven patients were expected to have morbid aspiration as a consequence of acquired neurologic injuries and two were congenital neurologic injuries. Two patients had a postoperative fistula, which was well controlled with local wound care and minor procedure. Following LTS, aspiration was effectively controlled in all patients and four were able to tolerate a regular diet. Conclusion : LTS is a low-risk, successful. definitive procedure which decreases the potential for aspiration, pulmonary complication, hospitalizations and increases quality of life, especially in patent with irreversible upper airway dysfunction and Poor speech potential.

• 대한기관식도과학회지
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• 제13권1호
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• pp.23-28
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• 2007

Background and Objectives: Since intractable aspiration in patients with impaired protective function of the larynx often results in multiple episode of aspiration pneumonia, repeated hospitalizations and expensive nursing care. The authors reported the preliminary results of laryngotracheal separation(LTS) in patient with chronic intractable aspiration. The purpose of this study was to report the follow up results of patient outcome with the LTS. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of 15 patients who underwent LTS between 1996 and 2006 was conducted. Ages ranged from 3 to 72 years. Results: Eight patients had morbid aspiration as a consequence of acquired neurologic injuries and seven patients with congenital neurologic injuries. Two patients had a postoperative fistula, which was well controlled with local wound care. Following LTS, aspiration was effectively controlled in all patients and eight were able to tolerate a regular diet. Conclusion: LTS is a low-risk, successful, definitive procedure which decreases the potential for aspiration, pulmonary complications, duration of hospitalizations and increases quality of life, especially in patent with irreversible upper airway dysfunction and poor speech potential.

• 대한기관식도과학회지
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• 제4권1호
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• pp.52-58
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• 1998

BACKGROUND： Aspiration is defined as the laryngeal penetration of secretions below the level of the true vocal cords. Aspiration can result in life-threatening complications, such as bronchospasm, airway obstruction, pneumonia, pulmonary abscess, sepsis, and death. The patient with high vagal palsy had significant aspiration and dysphagia OBJECTIVE： To formulate a step-by-step management paradign for the patients with high vagal palsy MATERIALS AND METHODS : The medical records of 23 patients who were diagnosed as high vagal palsy from September, 1995 to April, 1998 in Seoul National University Hospital were reviewed retrospectively. Eleven patients were managed conservatively and 12 patients were operated to treat chronic aspiration. RESULTS : The main etiologies of high vagal palsy were mass lesions of the skull base such as neurogenic tumor, pseudotumor, meningioma or nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Aspiration and dysphagia improved in 7 out of 11 patients who were managed conservatively after 2.2 months on the average. The patients who were refractory to the conservative management underwent surgery and showed improvement in 10 out of 12 patients. The employed surgical modalities were vocal cord medialization combined with cricopharyngeal myotomy in 7 patients, laryngotracheal separation in 3 patients and arytenoid adduction only in 2 patients. Two patients still had gastrostomy tube due to the persistent symptoms. Two patients had improved after surgery, but died of underlying disease. CONCLUSION : The patients with high vagal palsy are recommended to be managed conservatively for the first 2 months. If aspiration and dysphagia are persisting after conservative management, vocal cord medialization combined with or without cricopharyngeal myotomy should be considered. If failed, laryngotracheal separation or gastrostomy will be the next option based on the control of the oropharyngeal secretion.