The Aerodigestive Clinic at Children’s Hospital New Orleans is a
multidisciplinary clinic specializing in the evaluation and treatment
of infants, children, adolescents, and young adults with complex airway,
breathing, and swallowing problems. The Aerodigestive team includes providers
from the Gastroenterology, Otolaryngology, Pulmonology, and Speech Language
Pathology departments who collaboratively assess the child’s needs
and recommend care based on a family-centered
team approach.
Patients are evaluated by the team over two consecutive days. Day one includes
a team evaluation in clinic with any additional ancillary tests needed
to complete the evaluation such as pulmonary function tests, x-rays, swallow
studies, and blood work. The following day is devoted to the aerodigestive
endoscopies including laryngoscopy, bronchoscopy, and esophagogastroduodenoscopy
under a single anesthetic. These procedures are performed with the entire
team present, thus decreasing the anesthesia time and the number of required
visits while promoting a team assessment.
Some conditions commonly treated:
Airway obstruction and stenosis
Aspiration/ Dysphagia
Esophageal disorders
Gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD)
Laryngopharyngeal reflux disorder (LPRD)
Noisy breathing and stridor
Obstructive sleep apnea
Tracheomalacia
For providers
How to refer a patient
To refer a patient, please call 504.827.0832 or fax the patient’s
information to 504.896.2704. The pulmonology nurse navigator will contact
the patient and schedule the visit. The Aerodigestive Clinic is held at
the main campus at Children’s Hospital once a month.
Our stories
Keona Mock has a tracheostomy and a speaking valve so she can speak. Her
adopted family could hear her for the first time over the holiday season.
