%0 Case Reports
%T Laryngeal debridement: an alternative treatment for a laryngopyocele presenting with severe airway obstruction.
%A Fraser L
%A Pittore B
%A Frampton S
%A Brennan P
%A Puxeddu R
%J Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital
%V 31
%N 2
%D Apr 2011
%M 22064820
%F 2.618
%R 
%X The laryngocele is an abnormal saccular dilatation of the ventricle of Morgagni, which maintains its communication with the laryngeal vestibule. Three types of laryngoceles have been described: internal, external, and combined or mixed in relation to the position of the sac with respect to the thyrohyoid membrane. If the laryngocele becomes obstructed and infected it leads to the so-called laryngopyocele which, although a rare disease (8% of laryngoceles), can become an emergency causing severe airway obstruction needing urgent management, even tracheostomy. An alternative method is presented of emergency management of an internal laryngopyocele causing severe airway obstruction using a laryngeal microdebrider and avoiding tracheostomy.