CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Laryngorhinootologie 2019; 98(S 02): S207
DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-1685609
Poster
Aerodigestive tract

Anatomic classification of adult form of supraglottic obstruction – is larygeal anatomy a determinant factor of longevity?

MGJ Schedler
1   Germanamerican-Hospital, Ramstein
› Author Affiliations
 

Many surgical divisions are involved in the Head&Neck area, but it is certainly the ENT/Head & Neck surgery specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of upper respiratory tract disorders. The otorhinolaryngologist, as "gatekeeper" of the upper aerodigestive tract, has a high responsibility for patients with respiratory and swallowing disorders. It has been a long time since anatomical studies of the neck organs have been an important object of scientific otorhinolaryngology. Since 2010, we have regularly reviewed the supraglottic obstruction (SGO), its pathophysiology and physiology. We have been able to show that SGO is an important determinant in the development of SBAS and its sequelae and can, in many cases, be treated surgically. Our research has produced a new classification of larynx forms in A (square height-to-width ratio), B (wider than high), C (higher than wide) and a pathophysiologically based classification of upper airway obstruction levels in levels 0 – 5, therein the supraglottic obstruction levels 1 – 3. Based on this classification, we could implement a previously neglected, surgical therapy for SGO, especially in CPAP intolerant patients. The observed side effects and complications were low, resulting in a number of over 900 successfully performed surgeries. For 4 years, we have specifically examined aged patients > 80 years without SBAS laryngologically and found a clear predominance of the type A larynx. However, these are first findings on a limited number of patients, which are awaiting confirmation by studies. For interested colleagues and scientists access to our data and video documentation will be granted



Publication History

Publication Date:
23 April 2019 (online)

© 2019. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial-License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

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