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Minimally Invasive Murine Laryngoscopy for Close-Up Imaging of Laryngeal Motion During Breathing and Swallowing
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Published on: December 1, 2023

708

Vocal Fold Movement and Silent Aspiration After Congenital Heart Surgery

Amit Narawane1, Christina Rappazzo2, Jean Hawney2

  • 1Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, U.S.A.

The Laryngoscope
|August 11, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Infants undergoing heart surgery often experience swallowing difficulties and vocal fold motion impairment. Post-surgery, silent aspiration is common, highlighting the need for careful swallowing assessments in these children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Surgery
  • Otolaryngology
  • Speech-Language Pathology

Background:

  • Congenital heart surgery in infants can lead to vocal fold motion impairment (VFMI) and dysphagia.
  • Early identification and management of these conditions are crucial for patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe dysphagia in infants post-congenital heart surgery.
  • To explore associations between surgical complexity, vocal fold mobility, and swallowing/airway protection.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective chart review of infants (<12 months) who had congenital heart surgery and a videofluoroscopic swallow study (VFSS).
  • Data collected included demographics, surgical complexity (STAT category), vocal fold mobility, and VFSS findings.

Main Results:

  • 60% of patients had oral dysphagia, 64% had pharyngeal dysphagia, and 45% had tracheal aspiration.
  • Silent aspiration was prevalent (73% of aspirations).
  • Vocal fold motion impairment was associated with a higher likelihood of silent aspiration (OR=1.94, P<.01).

Conclusions:

  • Infants after congenital heart surgery have a high risk of aspiration, regardless of surgical complexity.
  • Silent aspiration is common, underscoring the importance of postoperative swallow evaluations.
Abstract

Keywords:
Congenital heart diseaseaspirationcongenital heart surgerydysphagiapediatric feedingvocal fold movement impairment

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