Pediatric Aerodigestive Program

• Airway Stenosis
• • Subglottic stenosis
  • Glottic stenosis
  • Laryngeal web
  • Laryngeal atresia
  • Tracheal stenosis
  • Complete tracheal rings
• Tracheomalacia
• Noisy breathing/Stridor
• Laryngeal Cleft
• Tracheoesophageal Fistula
• Vocal Cord Paralysis
• Hoarseness/Voice disorders
• Caustic ingestions
• Tracheostomy Dependence
• Complex Laryngomalacia
• Aspiration/Dysphagia
• Chronic Lung Disease
• Esophageal Disorders
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disorder (GERD)​
• Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Disorder (LPRD)
• Sleep Disordered Breathing/Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

Children with complex airway disorders are a unique group, often presenting with multiple connected concerns. These may affect the airway, breathing, feeding, swallowing, sleep, and digestion. Because the voice box is at the junction of the esophagus, throat, and trachea leading to the lungs, dysfunction in one area can affect the others.

Coordinated care is important for children with complex aerodigestive disorders. By working together, our team can provide optimal, individualized care for each child.

A Team Approach to Evaluation and Treatment

At Lurie Children's, specialists from Otolaryngology (airway surgeons), Pulmonology (lung), Gastroenterology (GI), and Speech and Language Pathology evaluate patients together, both in the clinic and in the operating room.

This team approach helps us:

• Understand the bigger picture of your child's aerodigestive health
• Limit exposure to anesthesia
• Efficiently gather the information needed to guide treatment

Treatment Goals for Your Child

The treatment goals of the Aerodigestive Program include:

• Maximizing pulmonary function
• Controlling acid reflux
• Preventing aspiration due to anatomic abnormalities
• Supporting better digestive, feeding, and pulmonary health
• Helping children reach the best possible health status for airway reconstruction or removal of tracheostomy tubes through our decannulation program

Everything we do reflects our commitment to meeting the needs and priorities of your family, with the ultimate goal of allowing children to live up to their fullest potential.

Formerly known as Children's Memorial Hospital, Lurie Children’s has a long history of airway innovation. Dr. Paul Holinger developed the first camera used for photographing the voice box and trachea, and from this work, published the first photographic atlas of the pediatric airway. Dr. Gabriel Tucker spent years studying voice box specimens and created a world-renowned collection of these specimens that are still referenced today. Dr. Joyce Schild was a pioneer as a prominent woman in surgery, who published extensively on pediatric airway disorders, and taught several generations of medical students. Dr. Lauren Holinger continued these traditions into the modern era, leading the Division of Otolaryngology, and working and publishing on pediatric airway surgery for 35 years until his retirement in 2014. We are proud to continue this legacy into its modern form.

The Gastroenterology and Pulmonary Medicine divisions at Lurie Children’s are consistently ranked among the top pediatric care programs in the country by U.S. News & World Report. Lurie Children’s continues to be the top hospital in Illinois. With knowledge and experience in endoscopy, intervention, and medical treatment, our medical specialists understand the complex nature of aerodigestive diseases, and how to optimize therapy.

Our Aerodigestive surgeons perform the most airway reconstructions, open and endoscopic, in the state of Illinois, and among the most of any pediatric institution in the United States. The experience of our surgeons provides an option for patients requiring complex revision airway reconstruction. We have extensive experience in evaluating and treating all facets of aerodigestive health, with the comprehensive resources of the largest children’s hospital in Illinois.

The Speech and Language Pathology team has broad resources for the evaluation and treatment of complex pediatric feeding and communication dysfunction. Our speech therapists undergo extensive training beyond their standard education, to become specialized in areas like feeding, endoscopic evaluation of swallowing, voice evaluations, velopharyngeal insufficiency (hypernasal speech), and other areas, providing expertise in all fields of pediatric speech therapy. From feeding and swallowing evaluations to voice evaluations, speaking valve fitting to articulation disorders, the speech therapists at Lurie Children’s have the expertise to help children meet and exceed their goals.

Your appointment in the Aerodigestive Clinic comprises multiple appointments with multiple providers. Depending on your child’s needs, you may see three physicians, a speech therapist, and a social worker, followed by an endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) exam. All in one afternoon. Within that time, a plan is developed among the providers, and will be compiled and communicated back to you by the next day. Our Aerodigestive staff, including nurse practitioners, nurse coordinators, and the program coordinator, are excellent resources for understanding the process, answering questions, scheduling procedures and tests, and providing guidance during the process. We are with you every step of the way.

Your child may require further studies such as:

• Videofluoroscopic swallow study (Modified barium swallow)
• Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallow (FEES)
• High Resolution CT scan of chest
• Esophagram
• Microdirect laryngoscopy/bronchoscopy (MLB)
• Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) with esophageal biopsies
• Ph-Impedance Study
• Laboratory tests
• Pulmonary Function Tests
• Voice Evaluation
• Sleep Study