Laryngo-tracheo-oesophageal cleft: a plea for early diagnosis

Congenital laryngeal clefts are rare. This paper reports on the management of 3 patients with Type 2 laryngo-tracheo-oesophageal cleft. One patient died following tracheopexy after successful cleft closure. Prognosis is related to the presence of other major anomalies, the early diagnosis of the lesion and institution of appropriate respiratory and nutritional care prior to correction of the defect. A greater awareness of the condition combined with aggressive diagnostic endoscopy should result in early diagnosis and improved survival.