Anterior cervical approach for repair of laryngotracheoesophageal cleft.

Laryngotracheoesophageal cleft is a very rare congenital malformation characterized by a long midline communication between the esophagus and trachea extending from the larynx down the trachea for a variable distance. The most common repair strategy involves separation of the trachea and esophagus by a lateral approach via both a thoracotomy and a neck incision. The authors report a case of complete repair (without thoracotomy) via a neck incision through the anterior wall of the trachea.