International pediatric otolaryngology group (IPOG) consensus on approach to aspiration

Abstract

Objective: To provide recommendations for a comprehensive management approach for infants and children presenting with symptoms or signs of aspiration. Methods: Three rounds of surveys were sent to authors from 23 institutions worldwide. The threshold for the critical level of agreement among respondents was set at 80 %. To develop the definition of “intractable aspiration,” each author was first asked to define the condition. Second, each author was asked to complete a 5-point Likert scale to specify the level of agreement with the definition derived in the first step. Results: Recommendations by the authors regarding the clinical presentation, diagnostic considerations, and medical and surgical management options for aspiration in children. Conclusion: Approach to pediatric aspiration is best achieved by implementing a multidisciplinary approach with a comprehensive investigation strategy and different treatment options.