Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 12, 2026

Minimally Invasive Murine Laryngoscopy for Close-Up Imaging of Laryngeal Motion During Breathing and Swallowing
Published on: December 1, 2023
Dysphonia secondary to traumatic avulsion of the vocal fold in infants
1Department of Paediatric Otolaryngology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, UK. dbray@doctors.org.uk
Insights
Traumatic paediatric intubation can cause vocal fold avulsion, leading to significant voice disorders. Early and ongoing specialist voice therapy is crucial for managing these injuries in children.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Pediatric Medicine
- Speech-Language Pathology
Background:
- Airway compromise from pediatric intubation is known.
- Intubation injuries can also result in severe voice disorders.
Observation:
- Five pediatric cases of traumatic vocal fold avulsion secondary to endotracheal intubation were reported.
- All affected children presented with significant dysphonia.
Findings:
- Traumatic pediatric intubation can lead to vocal fold avulsion and dysphonia.
- Specialist voice therapy is a primary management strategy.
Implications:
- Children with traumatic intubation injuries require long-term follow-up.
- Phonosurgical techniques may be considered for managing persistent voice issues.
Objective:
Airway compromise due to paediatric intubation injuries is well documented; however, intubation injuries may also cause severe voice disorders. We report our experience and review the world literature on the voice effects of traumatic paediatric intubation.
Case Series:
We report five cases of children referred to Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children who suffered traumatic avulsion of the vocal fold at the time of, or secondary to, endotracheal intubation. All children had significant dysphonia and underwent specialist voice therapy.
Conclusions:
The mechanisms of injury, risk factors and management of the condition are discussed. Children suffering traumatic intubation require follow up throughout childhood and beyond puberty as their vocal needs and abilities change. At the time of writing, none of the reported patients had yet undergone reconstructive or medialisation surgery. However, regular specialist voice therapy evaluation is recommended for such patients, with consideration of phonosurgical techniques including injection laryngoplasty or thyroplasty.
Related Concept Videos
Larynx
Anatomy of the Larynx
The larynx consists of various components, including cartilage, muscles, and vocal cords. Its structure includes three large unpaired cartilages—the thyroid, cricoid, and epiglottis—and three smaller paired cartilages—the arytenoids, corniculates, and...
Respiratory System Abnormal Finding II: Palpation and Auscultation
Palpation Findings
During a respiratory assessment, palpation can reveal several vital abnormalities:
Tracheostomy Decannulation
Description of the Procedure
Decannulation refers to the permanent removal of the tracheostomy tube, signaling the resolution of the condition that initially necessitated the tracheostomy. The process requires a well-coordinated interplay between...
Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract IV: Auscultation
Breath Sounds
Breath sounds are categorized into vesicular, bronchovesicular, and bronchial.
Suctioning the Oropharyngeal Airway
After assembling the equipment, the nurse should practice hand hygiene and don appropriate PPE according to infection control guidelines to avoid the...
Tracheostomy Suctioning II: Procedure