Airway Reconstruction

Airway reconstruction is any procedure designed to remove or expand a portion of the air passage between the larynx (voice box), the pharynx (back of mouth and nose) and the trachea (windpipe). Windpipe disorders are rare, but potentially life-threatening in children. There are a variety of congenital and acquired conditions which affect the breathing passage in children. The goal of airway reconstruction is to attain sufficient activity without the need for a tracheostomy

Five common airway reconstruction procedures:

• Laryngotracheal reconstruction
• Cricotracheal resection
• Tracheal resection
• Slide tracheoplasty
• Endoscopic laryngotracheal cleft repair

Accurate diagnosis is the first step of successful treatment of any airway anomaly. At Pediatric ENT of Oklahoma we are committed to your child’s long-term quality of life.

Swallowing Disorders

A swallowing disorder is any trouble using the mouth, lips, tongue or throat to control the flow of food or drink during feeding. Pediatric swallowing difficulty can indicate a congenital deformity or behavioral challenge. It’s important to diagnose the problem accurately and quickly so your child can eat and drink age-appropriate nutrition. Children with a swallowing disorder are at risk for dehydration, poor nutrition, aspiration, pneumonia and embarrassment.

Signs and symptoms of a swallowing disorder:

• Choking on food or liquid
• Gurgly voice
• Runny nose or watery eyes with meals
• Food refusal
• Low grade fever following meals
• Difficulty chewing

Children born premature are at particularly high risk for a swallowing difficulty. Call Pediatric ENT of Oklahoma if you suspect your child might suffer from a feeding or swallowing disorder.

Tonsillitis & Adenoid

Tonsillitis is an inflammation of the tonsils, the oval-shaped tissue pads in the back of the throat. The adenoid is similar to the tonsils and is located in the upper part of the throat, behind the nose. Some children are born with an enlarged adenoid. For others, an enlarged adenoid indicates infection. Removal of tonsils and/or enlarged adenoid is not as common as it once was. However, removal is still an effective option for children who struggle with recurrent tonsillitis, resistant to other treatment.

Signs of tonsillitis:

• Red, swollen tonsils
• White coating over the tonsils
• Sore throat
• Painful swallowing
• Fever

If your child shows any signs of tonsillitis or enlarged adenoid, make an appointment with one of our specialists at Pediatric ENT of Oklahoma. A prompt, accurate diagnosis is key to ensuring your child’s long-term health.

Vocal Disorders

Voice disorders in children can present in a variety of ways, including hoarseness, raspiness, abnormal cry or noisy breathing. Pediatric voice disorders occur when the vocal cords do not produce a clear sound. While most voice disorders are benign, occasionally a pediatric voice disorder indicates a life-threatening problem.

Pediatric voice disorder treatments:

• Voice therapy
• Temporary vocal cord augmentation
• Vocal cord surgery for polyps and cysts
• Laryngeal nerve reinnervation for vocal cord paralysis
• Tracheal reconstruction

Voice disorders in children are usually treated successfully. Early detection is paramount for normal speech and language development.