Impact of supraglottoplasty on parental preception of swallowing using a 10 question swallowing index.

INTRODUCTION: Laryngomalacia can have a significant impact on swallowing function. Most of the studies in literature have focused on evaluating swallowing dysfunction in children with Laryngomalacia using clinical assessment and swallowing studies i.e. functional endoscopic evaluation of swallowing or videofluroscopic evaluation of swallowing.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the current study was to evaluate the parental perception of swallowing using a newly devised 10-point swallowing index before and after supraglottoplasty.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a prospective study performed at a tertiary care Aerodigestive center over a period of 18 months. A total of 51 supraglottoplasties were performed by a single surgeon over an 18-month period. Parents were asked to fill a non validated 10-point questionnaire before and after supraglottoplasty. Of the 51 surgeries, 34 surveys were completed, and 28 surveys were included in the study. All the patients were classified in to mild, moderate and severe laryngomalacia based on the established criterion. Each point in the index was graded on the Likert scale.

RESULTS: A total of 28 patients who underwent supraglottoplasty were included in the study. There was a significant improvement in the overall parental perception in the swallowing of children with laryngomalacia following supraglottoplasty. There was statistically significant improvement in 9 out of 10 indices on the questionnaire.

CONCLUSION: Supraglottoplasty has an overall positive impact on parental perception of swallowing in children with Laryngomalacia. Caregivers had fewer concerns postoperatively, with fewer choking spells and breathing issues during feeds, and a greater satisfaction with the amount consumed at each feed. This Index adds a valuable subjective component to pediatric swallowing assessments pre and post supraglottoplasty. This tool could be used in conjunction with MBSS and FEES measures to provide a more comprehensive assessment.