Modified End-to-End Anastomosis for the Treatment of Congenital Tracheal Stenosis With a Bridging Bronchus

Clinical Experience with 30 Bridging Bronchus Patients with Airway Stenosis and Congenital Heart Disease

The indications and surgical techniques for airway stenosis (AS) repair among patients with bridging bronchus (BB) and congenital heart disease (CHD) have not been fully established. We sought to provide our experience with tracheobronchoplasty in a large series of BB patients with AS and CHD. Eligible patients were retrospectively enrolled from June 2013 to December 2017 and were followed up to December 2021. Epidemiological, demographic, clinical, imaging, surgical management, and outcome data were obtained. 5 tracheobronchoplasty techniques including 2 novel modified ones were performed. We included 30 BB patients with AS and CHD. Tracheobronchoplasty was indicated in them. 27 (90%) patients underwent tracheobronchoplasty. But 3 (10%) refused AS repair. 4 subtypes of the BB and 5 main sites of AS were identified. 6 (22.2%) cases, including one death, had severe postoperative complications associated with being underweight at surgery, preoperative mechanical ventilation, and more types of CHD. 3 cases were lost to follow-up. 18 (78.3%) of the survivors remained asymptomatic, and 5 (21.7%) had stridor, wheezing, or polypnea after exercise. 2 patients out of the three who did not undergo airway surgery died, and the one survivor had a poor quality of life. Good outcomes can be achieved in BB patients with AS and CHD who undergo proper tracheobronchoplasty techniques guided by specified criteria, but severe postoperative complications should be well managed.

Bronchoscopy findings in children with congenital lung and lower airway abnormalities

Congenital lung and lower airway abnormalities are rare, but they are an important differential diagnosis in children with respiratory diseases, especially if the disease is recurrent or does not resolve. The factors determining the time of presentation of congenital airway pathologies include the severity of narrowing, association with other lesions and the presence or absence of congenital heart disease (CHD). Bronchoscopy is required in these cases to assess the airway early after birth or when intubation and ventilation are difficult or not possible. Many of these conditions have associated abnormalities that must be diagnosed early, as this determines surgical interventions. It may be necessary to combine imaging and bronchoscopy findings in these children to determine the correct diagnosis as well as in operative management. Endoscopic interventional procedures may be needed in many of these conditions, ranging from intubation to balloon dilatations and aortopexy. This review will describe the bronchoscopic findings in children with congenital lung and lower airway abnormalities, illustrate how bronchoscopy can be used for diagnosis and highlight the role of interventional bronchoscopy in the management of these conditions.

Clinical features of a tracheoesophageal fistula associated with complete tracheal rings

PURPOSE

A tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) associated with complete tracheal rings (CTR) is extremely rare. This study aimed to elucidate the clinical features of this combination.

METHODS

Records of 39 patients diagnosed with TEF with or without CTR between January 2013 and February 2023 were retrospectively reviewed. Data collected included location of the TEF and CTR, esophageal gap, surgery of TEF/esophageal atresia (EA), and symptoms of CTR.

RESULTS

Seven patients had CTR, while 32 patients did not have CTR. TEF was frequently located higher than the T4 vertebra, and the median esophageal gap was shorter in patients with CTR than in those without (5/7 [71.4%] vs. 6/32 [18.8%], P = 0.012; 0 (range: 0-15) mm vs. 13.3 (range: 0-40) mm, P = 0.017, respectively). TEF was located just above the beginning of the CTR in all patients. All patients with CTR underwent primary esophageal anastomosis. Additionally, two patients were diagnosed with CTR before TEF/EA repair. A tracheal tube was prevented from contacting the CTR during TEF/EA repair, and respiratory insufficiency did not occur.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results may help pediatric surgeons in the management of TEF with CTR.

Successful surgical treatment of congenital tracheal stenosis combined with tracheal bronchus and left pulmonary artery sling: a 10-year single-institution experience

PURPOSE

Radical surgery for congenital tracheal stenosis (CTS) is technically demanding. CTS combined with tracheal bronchus (TB) and pulmonary artery (PA) sling is a particularly challenging condition. We herein report our successfully modified surgical techniques for CTS combined with TB and PA sling.

METHODS

Nine patients treated at our institution from July 2010 to December 2020 for CTS with TB and PA sling were enrolled. The patients' characteristics, operative results, and clinical outcomes were reviewed and analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTS

The mean age at the operation and body weight were 8.0 ± 4.4 months old and 6.5 ± 0.8 kg, respectively. The mean tracheal diameter and length of the stenotic lesion were 3.2 ± 1.0 mm (mean stenosis rate 46.2%) and 25.4 ± 4.9 mm, respectively. All cases were complicated with PA sling at bifurcation stenosis with tracheobronchomalacia. All patients underwent modified posterior-anterior slide tracheoplasty with an inverted Y-shaped incision at the bifurcation and repositioning of the PA. The mean postoperative intubation period was 25.0 ± 32.1 days. There were no major intraoperative or postoperative complications, including hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. The mean hospital stay was 92.2 ± 73.4 days. All patients were discharged home without tracheostomy or oxygen support.

CONCLUSION

Our slide tracheoplasty technique for CTS with TB and PA sling achieved excellent outcomes.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV.

Complex tracheal resection in children: Myths, reality and lessons learned

Tracheal resection is an uncommon procedure in children. It was described many years ago and many surgeons still rely on historical reports when performing the procedure, despite the technological and clinical advancements achieved during the last decades. We consider complex tracheal resections those resections of 30 to 50% of tracheal length, corresponding to at least 6-7 rings. With proper intra and post-operative management, this surgery is safe in children. In this review, we focused on the experience with this procedure of 3 reference centers, with 49 patients operated. We present a management algorithm for these patients, describing pre-operative evaluations, decision on surgical approach, need of tracheotomy, type of intra-operative oxygenation, surgical steps, and post-operative care.

Tracheoplasty for Congenital Tracheal Stenosis with Bilateral Tracheal Bronchus

Introduction: Congenital tracheal stenosis (CTS) with a bilateral tracheal bronchus (TB) has not been reported as a subtype of CTS. A novel technique to manage CTS in patients with a bilateral TB is described.

Case Report: An infant with tetralogy of Fallot underwent repair of cardiac anomaly at age 1 month. He experienced numerous cyanosis and episodes of transient respiratory arrest. Chest computed tomography (CT) demonstrated an aberrant bilateral upper lobe bronchus arising directly from the trachea and a stenotic trachea connecting the pseudo- carina to the true carina between the common right lower and left lower bronchus. On bronchoscopy, the diameter of the lumen of the narrowed segment was estimated to be less than 2 mm. Tracheal reconstruction was undertaken when he was 2 years of age. The surgical technique using a modified slide tracheoplasty for the correction of this anomaly are described. After surgery, the patient was extubated and has had no respiratory symptoms.

Discussion and Conclusion: The patient had unique anatomic considerations that made reconstruction challenging. Our technique of covering a stenotic section by normal trachea is a modification of the slide tracheoplasty technique and is useful for CTS with a unilateral and a bilateral TB.

The bridging bronchus: A comprehensive review of a rare, potentially life-threatening congenital airway anomaly associated with cardiovascular defects

The bridging bronchus is a rare congenital airway anomaly in which the right upper lobe of the lung is supplied by the right main bronchus while the right lower lobe, and often the right middle lobe is supplied by an aberrant bronchus arising from the left main bronchus. The aberrant bronchus crosses (bridges) the lower part of the mediastinum, hence the term bridging bronchus (BB). This potentially life-threatening condition, usually accompanied by diffuse or focal airway stenosis, commonly presents with signs and symptoms related to large airway obstruction, such as respiratory distress, apnea, wheezing, stridor, and recurrent respiratory tract infections. Diagnosis of the BB is often challenging because the associated signs and symptoms mimic those of common conditions such as bacterial and viral bronchiolitis, bronchial asthma, cystic fibrosis, and foreign body aspiration. The BB is also often accompanied by congenital cardiovascular anomalies, including left pulmonary artery sling, atrial, and ventricular septal defects, tetralogy of Fallot, patent ductus arteriosus, and coarctation of the aorta. Patients presenting with the above signs and symptoms who are not responsive to standard treatment modalities, and have accompanying cardiovascular congenital anomalies should, therefore, be investigated for the BB. Herein, we review the anatomy, embryology, clinical presentation, differential diagnosis, imaging techniques and surgical management of the BB.

VACTERL association complicated with multiple airway abnormalities: A case report

INTRODUCTION

VACTERL association is an acronym that includes vertebral anomalies (V), anal atresia (A), cardiac defects (C), tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) or esophageal atresia (EA), renal anomalies (R), and limb defects (L). Airway anomalies have rarely been reported with VACTERL association.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 10-month-old boy who had been diagnosed with anal atresia and received surgical corrections soon after birth consulted our institution by complaining repeated cough and fever.

DIAGNOSIS

Diagnosis of VACTERL association was finally made. Bronchoscopy and chest CT with computed tomography angiography confirmed multiple airway abnormalities including bridging bronchus, airway malacia, and complete tracheal rings.

INTERVENTIONS

Supplemental oxygen was provided and antibiotics was initiated.

OUTCOMES

The patient resolved gradually and was discharged 10 days later. The follow-up showed the patient has remained well just with mild psychomotor retardation.

CONCLUSION

Multiple airway anomalies may be seen in VACTERL association. It is worthwhile to make special note for evaluating the tracheobronchial pulmonary system by chest CT and bronchoscopy, especially patients presenting with breathing anomalies.

Congenital right bronchial stenosis with high bifurcation: Successful management with side to side tracheobronchial anastomosis

Congenital bronchial stenosis is a rare entity [1,2]. While there are some reports of congenital bronchial anomalies and their repair in the thoracic literature this is first report in the literature of a bronchial take off just below the larynx managed with surgical success. Here we present a case of a former 33-weeker born with a tracheoesophageal fistula, Tetralogy of Fallot, and a high bifurcation of the right mainstem bronchus with a concomitant long segment bronchial stenosis. Preoperative planning included printing 3-D reconstructed models of the airway to analyze various treatment options. At 3 months of age the patient was taken to the operating room for surgical repair of the Tetralogy of Fallot and side-to-side tracheobroncheoplasty. The patient was extubated on postoperative day 3 and was discharged home without need for any ventilatory support.

Surgical intervention strategies for congenital tracheal stenosis associated with a tracheal bronchus based on the location of stenosis

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to determine the appropriate surgical intervention strategies for congenital tracheal stenosis (CTS) associated with a tracheal bronchus based on the location of stenosis.

METHODS

The medical records of 13 pediatric patients with CTS associated with a tracheal bronchus at a single institution between January 2006 and December 2015 were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS

Type 1: tracheal stenosis above the right upper lobe bronchus (RULB) (n = 1). One patient underwent slide tracheoplasty and was successfully extubated. Type 2: tracheal stenosis below the RULB (n = 7). Tracheal end-to-end anastomosis was performed before 2014, and one patient failed to extubate. Posterior-anterior slide tracheoplasty was performed since 2014, and all three patients were successfully extubated. Type 3: tracheal stenosis above the RULB to the carina (n = 5). One patient underwent posterior-anterior slide tracheoplasty and was successfully extubated. Two patients with left-right slide tracheoplasty and another two patients with tracheal end-to-end anastomosis for the stenosis below the RULB could not be extubated.

CONCLUSION

Tracheal end-to-end anastomosis or slide tracheoplasty can be selected for tracheal stenosis above the RULB according to the length of stenosis. Posterior-anterior slide tracheoplasty appears feasible for tracheal stenosis below the RULB or above the RULB to the carina.