DOZ047.104: The impact of uncontrolled gastroesophageal reflux on airway pathology

Abstract

Abstract Introduction The link between airway pathology and gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) has long been presumed critical to pediatric airway health. Recent studies have found no definitive correlation between the two. However, aerodigestive practitioners continue to identify GERD-related pathology as part of the workup for complex pediatric airway obstruction. Results This work presents a series of cases of airway obstruction with aerodigestive workup and GERD interventions that demonstrate the critical involvement of GERD in airway pathology. Each patient demonstrated either unusual patterns of airway injury with uncontrolled reflux on pH-impedance testing, or had resolution of airway pathology with definitive medical or surgical GERD management. Conclusions GERD can affect the airway significantly, resulting in airway inflammation, injury, and postoperative scarring. Aerodigestive programs must maintain their awareness of the detrimental effects of GERD on the airway. Better studies regarding GERD and airway injury are necessary to understand at-risk populations and optimal treatment strategies.