Treatment

Endoscopic Posterior Cricoid Reduction

Key Points About Endoscopic Posterior Cricoid Reduction

This is an operation to reduce the space at the back of the voice box.
It helps improve a very soft or breathy voice caused by too much air flow through the voice box.
Doctors reach the area through your child’s mouth so there is no visible scar.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is endoscopic posterior cricoid reduction?

Endoscopic posterior cricoid reduction is surgery to strengthen your child’s voice. If your child has a very soft or breathy voice or gets tired from trying to speak loudly enough to be heard, it may be due to an earlier injury to the voice box or other issue.

Extra tissue can make the opening in the voice box too wide and allow too much air to pass through the voice box when your child speaks. The procedure fixes the problem by removing extra cartilage or other tissue and narrowing the voice box opening so your child’s voice is louder and clearer.

What are the benefits of endoscopic posterior cricoid reduction?

What are the risks of endoscopic posterior cricoid reduction?

What happens before an endoscopic posterior cricoid reduction?

What happens during an endoscopic posterior cricoid reduction?

Endoscopic posterior cricoid reduction takes place in the hospital operating room. The doctor uses a hollow tube equipped with small instruments and a light and camera inserted through the mouth to reach the voice box.

You will be given information on how to prepare your child, which may include fasting or avoiding certain medications right before surgery.

Endoscopic posterior cricoid reduction typically involves the following steps:

With your child asleep under general anesthesia, the doctor inserts the endoscope in your child’s mouth.
The doctor uses small instruments to gently remove or reshape cartilage or extra tissue that is widening the opening in the voice box.

What happens after an endoscopic posterior cricoid reduction?

Departments That Perform Endoscopic Posterior Cricoid Reduction

Voice and Vocal Cord Mobility Program

Learn about the monthly Voice and Vocal Cord Mobility Program for evaluation and management of pediatric voice disorders, whether it's a raspy voice that needs a little rest, or a more complex condition that requires advanced care from our specialists.