Larynx and airway: supraglottoplasty for severe laryngomalacia: practice question

A ENT question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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ENT · Larynx and airway: supraglottoplasty for severe laryngomalacia

Sample item

A 4-month-old with inspiratory stridor has apnoeic episodes and poor weight gain. Laryngoscopy shows prolapse of arytenoid mucosa and a short aryepiglottic fold. Which intervention is indicated?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Endoscopic supraglottoplasty

Most laryngomalacia is mild and resolves, but severe cases with apnoea, cyanosis or failure to thrive are treated by supraglottoplasty, trimming redundant supraglottic tissue. Tracheostomy is a last resort.

Option by option

  • A. Tracheostomy in all cases

    Tracheostomy is a rescue and not first-line.

  • B. Long-term oral steroids

    Steroids do not alter the anatomy.

  • C. Observation without intervention

    Observation alone is for mild cases without complications.

  • D. Endoscopic supraglottoplasty (correct)

    Correct. Severe laryngomalacia with apnoea and poor growth warrants endoscopic supraglottoplasty.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this ENT question

What is the answer to this ENT question?

The best answer is D, Endoscopic supraglottoplasty. Most laryngomalacia is mild and resolves, but severe cases with apnoea, cyanosis or failure to thrive are treated by supraglottoplasty, trimming redundant supraglottic tissue.

Why is "Tracheostomy in all cases" not the answer?

Tracheostomy is a rescue and not first-line.

Why is "Long-term oral steroids" not the answer?

Steroids do not alter the anatomy.

Why is "Observation without intervention" not the answer?

Observation alone is for mild cases without complications.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Larynx and airway: supraglottoplasty for severe laryngomalacia in ENT. Tracheostomy is a last resort.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Larynx and airway: supraglottoplasty for severe laryngomalacia?

Learn tuning fork results and audiogram patterns by sketching them. Then use the flashcards and the other ENT questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.