Outcomes of slide tracheoplasty in 101 children: A 17-year single-center experience

Choice of suture technique may mitigate figure-of-8 deformity in slide tracheoplasty

OBJECTIVES

To demonstrate varying degrees of immediate postoperative figure of 8 deformity following three different methods of tracheal suturing.

STUDY DESIGN

Comparative ex-vivo study.

METHODS

A fresh, unfixed rabbit trachea was harvested and bisected at its midpoint. The posterior membranous trachea was excised from both segments to mimic the anatomy of complete tracheal rings following longitudinal release. A slide tracheoplasty was performed on the same tracheal segments as an internal control, using three different methods of closure: simple running, running horizontal mattress, and a modified baseball stitch. Endoscopic and external photographs were taken immediately following repair to document the effect of closure technique on external and endoluminal anatomy.

RESULTS

A simple running closure, in which traveling occurs between needle passes, showed the greatest degree of postoperative figure of 8 deformity. A running horizontal mattress suture closure showed less deformity and a modified running closure, in which traveling occurs within needle passes, showed the least deformity.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests that a minor modification of standard running closure techniques may help limit the common figure-of-8 deformity often noted following slide tracheoplasty.

LAY SUMMARY

Figure of-8 deformity is a problem that can occur when repairing a narrow trachea referred to as tracheal stenosis. This deformity may be prevented using particular suture techniques which may decrease the likelihood that the trachea becomes blocked again following repair.

Impact of preoperative respiratory distress on outcomes of slide tracheoplasty

OBJECTIVES

Children with congenital tracheal stenosis born in the developing world face a high risk of mortality due to limited access to proper treatment. Patients who required preoperative respiratory support were suspected to have poor survival after slide tracheoplasty; however, this was not clearly demonstrated in the previous studies. This study aims to investigate the impact of preoperative respiratory conditions on outcomes of slide tracheoplasty.

METHODS

From 2016 to 2022, children who underwent slide tracheoplasty were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with respiratory distress requiring emergency operations (group A) were compared with patients in stable condition who were scheduled for surgery (group B).

RESULTS

Perioperative results revealed that group A (n = 43) had a longer bypass time (P < 0.001), operation time (P = 0.01), postoperative ventilation time (P < 0.001) and length of intensive care unit stay (P = 0.00125) than group B (n = 60). The early mortality rate was 7.8%, and the actuarial 5-year survival rate was 85.3%. The cumulative incidence test revealed that group A was highly significant for overall mortality [sudistribution (SHR) 4.5; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.23-16.4; P = 0.023]. Risk factors for overall mortality were prolonged postoperative ventilation time (hazard ratio 3.86; 95% CI 1.20-12.48; P = 0.024), bronchial stenosis (hazard ratio 5.77; 95% CI 1.72-19.31; P = 0.004), and preoperative tracheal mucositis (hazard ratio 5.67; 95% CI 1.51-21.31; P = 0.01). Four patients needed reintervention during a follow-up of 28.4 months (interquartile range 15.3-47.3).

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative respiratory distress negatively affected the outcomes of patients who required slide tracheoplasty. Therefore, early detection of congenital tracheal stenosis and aggressive slide tracheoplasty are crucial and obligatory to enhance long-term survival in this lethal congenital airway disease.

Composite Biosynthetic Graft for Repair of Long-Segment Tracheal Stenosis: A Pilot In Vivo and In Vitro Feasibility Study

Pediatric patients who undergo surgery for long-segment congenital tracheal stenosis (LSCTS) have suboptimal outcomes and postsurgical complications. To address this, we propose a biosynthetic graft comprising (1) a porcine small intestinal submucosa extracellular matrix (SIS-ECM) patch for tracheal repair, and (2) a resorbable polymeric exostent for biomechanical support. The SIS-ECM patch was evaluated in vivo in an ovine trachea model over an 8 month period. Concurrently, the biosynthetic graft was evaluated in a benchtop lamb trachea model for biomechanical stability. In vivo results show that SIS-ECM performs better than bovine pericardium (control) by preventing granulation tissue/restenosis, restoring tracheal architecture, blood vessels, matrix components, pseudostratified columnar and stratified epithelium, ciliary structures, mucin production, and goblet cells. In vitro tests show that the biosynthetic graft can provide the desired axial and flexural stability, and biomechanical function approaching that of native trachea. These results encourage future studies to evaluate safety and efficacy, including biomechanics and collapse risk, biodegradation, and in vivo response enabling a stable long-term tracheal repair option for pediatric patients with LSCTS and other tracheal defects.

Slide tracheoplasty for congenital tracheal stenosis with involvement of the carina and bronchi: a case report

A female newborn presented with respiratory distress at birth and was diagnosed with congenital tracheal stenosis. The stenosis was positioned at the distal trachea and compromised the carina and the right and left bronchi. She underwent surgical treatment using circulatory life support with veno-arterial peripheral extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and the airway was reconstructed using the slide tracheoplasty technique to build a neocarina. The patient had an excellent postoperative course, was successfully weaned from extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and invasive ventilation, and was discharged.

Long- term outcomes of congenital tracheal stenosis after slide tracheoplasty

PURPOSE

Long-term outcomes of slide tracheoplasty in patients with congenital tracheal stenosis (CTS) have rarely been reported. This study aimed to clarify the long-term outcomes of CTS after slide tracheoplasty.

METHODS

The medical records of 33 patients who underwent slide tracheoplasty for CTS at our institution between January 2005 and July 2018, with a follow-up duration > 5 years, were retrospectively reviewed. Patients' characteristics, perioperative condition, operative management, postoperative course, tracheal stenosis rates and growth data, were collected from medical records.

RESULTS

The median operative age, minimum tracheal diameter, length of stenosis, duration of hospital stays, and follow-up duration were 8 months, 2.4 mm, 35 mm, 39 days, and 90 months, respectively. One patient died of bleeding in the right lung at 126 months postoperatively. Among the 10 patients requiring postoperative tracheostomy, seven were successfully decannulated at a median of 65 months postoperatively. Tracheal stenosis rates improved postoperatively and were subsequently maintained. Growth impairment and psychomotor delay were observed in 9 and 16 patients, respectively with significant differences found only in cases with genetic abnormalities and not in tracheal stenosis severity.

CONCLUSION

Slide tracheoplasty for CTS leads to favorable long-term outcomes. However, various associated anomalies may influence growth and psychomotor development, emphasizing the importance of adequate support.

Outcomes of not using tracheoplasty in asymptomatic tracheal stenosis found during open-heart surgery

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to review the outcomes of treating incidentally encountered asymptomatic airway stenosis during open-heart surgery conservatively without the use of tracheoplasty.

METHODS

Between January 2002 and October 2022, 25 patients were incidentally diagnosed with tracheal stenosis during open-heart surgery. Intraoperative bronchoscopy and/or laryngoscopy revealed tracheal stenosis; however, this was not consistent with the findings of the preoperative computed tomography. Patients who were diagnosed with a pulmonary artery or vascular sling or had moderate-to-severe respiratory symptoms before open-heart surgery were excluded.

RESULTS

The median age and weight of the patients at operation were 3.0 months and 5.1 kg, respectively. They were categorized as those having tracheal stenosis on preoperative computed tomography (n = 12) or not having tracheal stenosis (n = 13). The narrowest diameter was significantly smaller in the former group (3.0 vs 5.8 mm, P < 0.05). The rates of reintubation and the tracheostomy, and intubation days tended to be higher in former group without statistical significance. Stenotic degree improved 2 months and 1 year or more after the operation (39.3% at operation, 28.4% at 2 months, 12.5% after 1 year). All patients were Ross class 1 or 2 at follow-up (mean, 7.1 years).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with tracheal stenosis showed tolerable long-term outcomes without using tracheoplasty. Accordingly, if tracheal stenosis, that would cause intubation difficulty, was incidentally revealed, concomitant tracheoplasty may not be required during open-heart surgery if the stenosis did not cause considerable symptoms or signs preoperatively.

[Thoracoscopic tracheal resection in a child under extracorporeal membrane oxygenation]

Congenital tracheal stenosis in children is a rare, severe and life-threatening respiratory tract malformation characterized by respiratory failure. We have performed 74 surgical interventions in these patients under extracorporeal membrane oxygenation between 2013 and 2022. In this article, we present surgical treatment of a newborn with congenital tracheal stenosis. For the first time in the world, the patient underwent thoracoscopic resection and reconstruction of the trachea under extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Characteristics and Outcomes of Surgical Treatment for Bronchial Anomalies

OBJECTIVES

Bronchial anomalies are rare but challenging conditions to treat in children, encompassing a variety of structural abnormalities that could compromise airway patency. This includes complete rings, absent cartilage, traumatic avulsions, bronchoesophageal fistulas, and cartilaginous sleeves. The objective of this study is to describe the characteristics and outcomes of a series of pediatric cases of bronchial anomalies that were treated by slide tracheobronchoplasty.

METHODS

This is a single-institution retrospective case series of pediatric patients with bronchial anomalies who underwent surgical treatment between February 2004 and April 2020. Data extracted from electronic medical records included patient demographics, comorbidities, and surgical outcomes.

RESULTS

There were a total of 29 patients included in the study, of which 14 had complete bronchial rings, 8 had absent bronchial rings, 4 had traumatic bronchial avulsions, 2 had bronchoesophageal fistulas, and one had a cartilaginous sleeve. Median follow-up time was 13 months (with a range of 0.5-213 months). The overall mortality rate was 17.2% (5 patients), all of whom had complete bronchial rings. Patients with complete bronchial rings also had a higher rate of not only cardiac (85.7%) and pulmonary comorbidities (85.7%) but also secondary airway lesions (78.6%).

CONCLUSION

This is the largest series to date describing surgical treatment for bronchial anomalies. Complete bronchial rings were the most common anomaly treated, followed by absent rings and trauma. Surgical treatment can be successful but mortality rates are higher in patients with complete bronchial rings, possibly due to higher rates of pulmonary and cardiac comorbidities.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4 Laryngoscope, 133:3334-3340, 2023.

Treatment of long-segment congenital tracheal stenosis with congenital cardiovascular defects in infancy

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to evaluate the outcomes of simultaneous repair for infants with long-segment congenital tracheal stenosis (LSCTS) with congenital cardiovascular defects (CCD).

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of infants aged less than 1 year with LSCTS and CCD who underwent simultaneous repair at Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from January 2020 to March 2023. A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library for the relevant published studies that reported the simultaneous repair of CTS and CCD in infancy was conducted in March 2023. The inverse variance method of DerSimonian-Laird (D + L) was used for estimate synthesis.

RESULTS

A total of thirteen infants with a mean age of 5.6 ± 3.1 months and a mean weight of 6.4 ± 0.9 Kg underwent slide tracheoplasty with modified procedures and cardiovascular operations. LSCTS was diagnosed in all thirteen patients. Nine infants were ventilator dependent, and four patients were operated on due to persistent wheezing and recurrent respiratory infections. Seven patients underwent pulmonary artery sling repair, and six underwent atrial septal defect repair. All infants were repaired utilizing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) support. Significant complications were recorded in three patients. In-hospital deaths were seen in one case. The median tracheal minimum diameter of hospital survivors was significantly larger than the preoperative minimum diameter (p < 0.001). The mean follow-up duration was 17.1 ± 7.1 months. There was no late mortality during the follow-up. Twelve studies were included based on our search strategy. The pooled estimate of mortality in the literature was 10.9% (95%CI, 5.3%-17.7%, I2 = 0). The pooled estimate of airway re-interventions was 28.8% (95%CI, 14.5%-43.2%, I2 = 74%).

CONCLUSIONS

Simultaneous repair of LSCTS and CCD in infancy is safe and effective. Slide tracheoplasty with appropriate technical modifications may be valid for LSCTS repair without significant restenosis and reinterventions.

Morphologic classification of tracheobronchial arborization in children with congenital tracheobronchial stenosis and the associated cardiovascular defects

Background

We sought to classify patients with congenital tracheal stenosis (CTS) according to tracheobronchial morphology and determine anatomic features associated with tracheobronchial anomalies (TBAs) and concurrent cardiovascular defects (CVDs).

Methods

We enrolled 254 patients who underwent tracheoplasty between November 1, 2009 and December 30, 2018. The anatomic features of the tracheobronchial tree and cardiovascular system were abstracted from bronchoscopy, echocardiography, computerized tomography, and operative reports.

Results

Four types of tracheobronchial morphology were identified: Type-1, which included normal tracheobronchial arborization (Type-1A, n = 29) and tracheal bronchus (Type-1B, n = 22); Type-2 (tracheal trifurcation; n = 49), and Type-3 (typical bridging bronchus; n = 47). Type-4 (bronchus with an untypical bridging pattern) was divided into Type-4A (involving bronchial diverticulum; n = 52) and Type-4B (absent bronchus; n = 55). Carinal compression and tracheomalacia were significantly more frequent in Type-4 patients than in the other patients (P < 0.01). CVDs were common in patients with CTS, especially in patients with Type-3 and Type-4 (P < 0.01). Persistent left superior vena cava was most common among patients with Type-3 (P < 0.01), and pulmonary artery sling was most frequent among those with Type-4 (P < 0.01). Outflow tract defects were most likely to occur in Type-1B. Early mortality was detected in 12.2% of all patients, and young age (P = 0.02), operation in the early era (P < 0.01), and bronchial stenosis (P = 0.03) were proven to be risk factors.

Conclusions

We demonstrated a useful morphological classification for CTS. Bridging bronchus was most closely linked with vascular anomalies, while tracheal bronchus was frequently associated with outflow tract defects. These results may provide a clue to CTS pathogenesis.

Sliding tracheoplasty of complete tracheal cartilage rings in children

INTRODUCTION

Complete tracheal rings are a rare malformation that occurs in 1 out of 100,000 live births. It is rare, isolated tracheal or tracheobronchial anomaly developed due to abnormal cartilage growth with formation of complete ring and often resulting in airway stenosis. Slide tracheoplasty, as it was originally described by Tsang et al. and popularized by Grillo et al., overlaps stenotic segments of trachea, shortening trachea itself, thus, doubling the circumference and diameter of the stenotic area.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We have performed slide tracheoplasty in 12 children during the period of 2019-2021 in thoracic surgery department of our center. Median age was 15 ± 21,1 months (2 months-6 years),median weight - 8,04 ± 4,75 kg (3-20,7 kg),tracheal lumen varied from 2.5 to 3.0 mm, stenosis length - from 40 to 70% of the trachea length.

RESULTS

Slide tracheoplasty was performed using central veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in 7 cases and using cardiopulmonary bypass in 5 cases. Concomitant heart disease was revealed in 5 children (pulmonary artery sling in 3 cases, ventricular septal defects - 1, aberrant subclavian artery -1). 5 children underwent one-stage correction of VSD: plastic VSD -1; left pulmonary artery reimplantation - 3; subclavian artery reimplantation - 1. All patients were on mechanical ventilation for 4,3 ± 2,78 days at postoperative period. Patients were discharged 16,3 ± 5,14 days after surgery. Satisfactory result of treatment in the form of respiratory failure relief was achieved in 10 patients. It was possible to increase the trachea lumen from 1.5 to 2 times in all cases. There were 2 (16,6%) fatal cases due to sepsis and multi-organ failure development.

CONCLUSIONS

Children with complete tracheal rings are very complicated patients with various comorbidities. Despite the advances in medicine, sometimes it is impossible to save lives of these children. The use of extracorporeal circulation (ECMO and bypass) allows us to safely perform reconstructive surgery on the trachea and save the child from respiratory failure manifestations. If needed, simultaneous correction of heart and tracheal defects is possible. Slide tracheoplasty allows to increase trachea lumen at least in 1.5-2 times. Mechanical ventilation is an unfavorable predictive factor for the outcomes of congenital tracheal stenosis management.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III.

Impact of Tracheal Arborization and Lung Hypoplasia in Repair of Pulmonary Artery Sling in Combination With Long-Segment Tracheal Stenosis

Background: Reimplantation of the left pulmonary artery (LPA) and slide tracheoplasty has been our standard approach of care for patients with pulmonary artery sling (PAS) and tracheal stenosis. We present our experience, with emphasis on tracheal arborization and hypoplastic lungs; and their impact on long-term outcome of children with PAS and tracheal stenosis. Methods: It is a retrospective comparative study. Data were classified and analyzed based on the type of tracheobronchial arborization and normal versus hypoplastic lungs. Results: Seventy-five children operated between January 1994 and December 2019 (67 with normal lungs and 8 with lung hypoplasia/agenesis) were included. Patients with hypoplastic lungs had higher rates of preoperative ventilation (87.5%), postoperative ventilation (10 vs 8 days, P = .621), and mortality (50% vs 9%, P = .009) compared with those with normal lungs. Nineteen patients had tracheal bronchus (TB) variety and 30 patients had congenital long-segment tracheal stenosis (CLSTS) variety of tracheobronchial arborization. Endoscopic intervention was needed in 47.4% of patients with TB type and 60% with CLSTS type. CLSTS patients had higher rates of preoperative ventilation (60% vs 47.4%, P = .386), longer periods of postoperative ventilation (13 vs 6.5 days, P = .006), and ICU stay (15 vs 11 days, P = .714) compared with TB type. Conclusion: Surgical repair of PAS with tracheal stenosis has good long-term outcomes. All variations of tracheal anatomy can be managed with slide tracheoplasty. Persistence of airway problems requires intervention during follow-up as tracheal stenosis continues to be the Achilles heel.

Pulmonary artery sling: An overview

Pulmonary artery sling is a rare childhood vascular tracheobronchial compression syndrome that is frequently associated with tracheal stenosis. Consequently, neonates or infants may present with critical airway obstruction if there is long segment airway narrowing and complete rings. Rapid diagnosis of this cardiac vascular malformation and evaluation of the extent and severity of airway involvement is essential to plan surgery, typically a slide tracheoplasty to relieve critical airway obstruction. Long term outcome can be excellent following surgical repair of the stenosed airway and reimplantation of the left pulmonary artery. In this review we focus on the embryology, diagnostic workup, airway investigations and management for this rare but challenging congenital condition.

Tracheal reconstruction surgery for congenital tracheal stenosis

PURPOSE

Congenital tracheal stenosis is a rare but dangerous disease. Reconstructive tracheal surgery is a life-saving treatment but also a challenging procedure. This study aims to evaluate the outcomes of tracheal reconstruction surgery.

METHODS

A prospective cohort study was conducted with all the records of congenital tracheal stenosis which had been managed by tracheal reconstruction surgery at Children's Hospital 2 Ho Chi Minh City from August 2013 to August 2022.

RESULTS

Sixty-seven cases, who underwent slide tracheoplasty, were included in our study. Mean age was 7.6 months (25 days - 8 years). Common congenital-associated lesion was left pulmonary artery sling, accounting for 65.7% of cases. Bronchial stenosis was found in 22.4% patients. Emergency surgery was performed in eight cases. The survival rate in this review was 86.6%. Nine patients died in which four of nine cases (44.4%) were emergency surgery. The recurrent stenosis rate was 8.9%, only two cases needed reoperation in which one died and one recovered uneventfully. The outcomes of surgery were good in 53 cases (79.1%).

CONCLUSION

Tracheal reconstruction surgery with slide tracheoplasty technique is safe and versatile technique which is feasible in every case of congenital tracheal stenosis. Mortality was associated with severe cases which required emergency surgery.

Surgical management of congenital tracheal stenosis associated with complex cardiovascular anomalies

PURPOSE

Although surgical outcomes have improved in patients with congenital tracheal stenosis (CTS), the management of such patients with complex cardiovascular anomalies (CVAs) remains a challenge. This study aimed to clarify the clinical features of this combination.

METHODS

Medical records of 14 patients with complex CVAs who had undergone slide tracheoplasty for CTS between May 2016 and February 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. Complex CVAs were defined as CVAs without left pulmonary artery sling and simple cardiac shunts. Data collected included age and body weight at tracheal reconstruction, preoperative respiratory support, surgery details, and mortality.

RESULTS

The median age and body weight at tracheal reconstruction were 3.5 (range, 1-17) months and 4.7 (range, 2.3-8.2) kg, respectively. Simultaneous repair of CTS and CVAs was performed in eight patients and staged repair in six patients. Patients who underwent simultaneous repair required preoperative respiratory support more frequently than those who underwent staged repair (8/8 [100%] vs 2/6 [33.3%]; P = 0.015). No mortality occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with complex CVAs often require tracheal reconstruction in early infancy. Surgical management strategy for this combination was generally decided on the basis of the severity of respiratory symptoms due to CTS.

Outcomes of slide tracheoplasty for congenital tracheal stenosis in 80 children: A 22-year single-center experience

PURPOSE

The application of slide tracheoplasty (STP) in the treatment of congenital tracheal stenosis (CTS) has improved patient outcomes over the past few decades. We reviewed our experiences with the procedure, elucidated risk factors, and discussed important aspects of perioperative management to improve outcomes.

METHOD

Patients with CTS undergoing STP between July 1998 and December 2020 were enrolled. Patient characteristics, perioperative condition, management, operative details, and outcomes, including mortality and postoperative intervention, were collected from medical records.

RESULTS

Eighty patients underwent STP. Sixty-five patients (81.3%) had an associated cardiovascular anomaly. Thirteen patients (16.3%) had unilateral lung agenesis or hypoplasia. Preoperative mechanical ventilation was necessary in 54 (67.5%) patients, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) was required in eight patients (10.0%). An endotracheal tube was placed before the stenotic entrance to avoid granulation. During STP, the trachea was dissected as little as possible to maintain the blood supply. The one-year survival rate was 88.8% (nine patients died). One patient (1.3%) required postoperative balloon dilation, and none required stenting or granulation removal. Of the survivors, 62 (92.5%) achieved successful extubation without tracheostomy. Multivariable analysis revealed complex cardiovascular anomaly (P = 0.05) and preoperative ECMO (P = 0.019) to be adverse predictors of survival.

CONCLUSION

Although STP can be performed successfully in CTS patients, surgeons and families should be aware of factors that may lead to a more difficult postoperative course or increase the mortality. Meticulous, perioperative positioning of the endotracheal tube and preserving the tracheal blood flow can minimize the need for postoperative intervention.

Systematic Review of Slide Tracheoplasty Outcomes

OBJECTIVE

To identify factors predicting success in slide tracheoplasty surgery at a regional children's hospital and compare with available published literature.

MEASURES

Retrospective chart review comparing demographics (age, weight) and clinical (operative and hospital course, need for additional airway intervention) factors experienced with slide tracheoplasty. Findings were compared with a systematic review of published literature.

RESULTS

Of the 16 tracheal stenosis patients in our cohort, 13 (81.3%) presented with an additional congenital or cardiovascular anomaly. When adjusted for cardiovascular anomalies, congenital tracheal stenosis patients had a mean age of 5.2 months (range 6 days-17 months), mean weight of 5.04 kg, and average ICU and hospital length of stay of 31.5 and 36.0 days, respectively. Tracheostomy was required for 4 patients and no early deaths were recorded. Of the 391 children in the grouped cohort, mean age and weight was older at 7.67 months and larger at 5.70 kg. Length of stay in both ICU and overall hospital course was 31.6 and 43.5 days, respectively. Mortality etiology for 44 patients was reported: 17 (38.6%) cardiac-related and 28 (63.6%) late mortalities. Our overall calculated mortality risk of 1.26 (P < .05) was lower than reported ratios of 2.0+.

CONCLUSION

Despite the numerous institutional studies involving tracheal stenosis, mortality and surgical challenges remain high. Future studies with the inclusion of specific perioperative data can prove to further evaluate correlations between presentation characteristics and mortality.

Postoperative nursing care of a child with pulmonary artery displacement combined with slide tracheobronchial plasty

BACKGROUND

Generally, pulmonary artery sling operation involves the pulmonary artery transplantation to be cut off. Nursing care is focused on the postoperative pulmonary vascular anastomosis, respiratory tract, and blood pressure after surgery. We report the case of an infant who underwent pulmonary artery tracheal transposition combined with Slide keratoplasty, where the pulmonary artery transplantation was not cut off. We highlight that postoperative pulmonary artery blood flow to the unobstructed airway and airway reconstruction surgery should be focused on to help children recover and ensure successful surgery.

METHODS

To report the postoperative nursing experience of one patient with pulmonary artery sling undergoing pulmonary tracheal transposition combined with Slide arthroplasty.

RESULTS

Throughout the postoperative care, airway management should be focused on to maintain circulation stability in the early postoperative period, and corresponding measures such as posture management, atomization inhalation, and improved chest physical therapy should be applied according to the special surgical method of the case in order to reduce airway complications and to improve the surgical success rate of children with pulmonary artery sling undergoing pulmonary tracheal transposition combined with Slide arthroplasty.

CONCLUSION

In similar cases, after pulmonary tracheal transposition and Slide angioplasty, the doctors and nurses should pay attention to early circulation stability and focus on airway management through careful treatment and nursing, so as to promote the child's recovery.

Incidence and risk factor of vocal cord paralysis following slide tracheoplasty for congenital tracheal stenosis: a retrospective observational study

BACKGROUND

Slide tracheoplasty for congenital tracheal stenosis (CTS) has been shown to improve post-operative outcomes, but the incidence and risk factors of vocal cord paralysis (VCP) following slide tracheoplasty remain unclear. This study aimed to review our experience of slide tracheoplasty for CTS with a focus on post-operative VCP.

METHODS

Twenty-eight patients, who underwent tracheal reconstruction with or without cardiovascular repair at Kobe Children's Hospital between June, 2016 and March, 2020 were enrolled in this retrospective observational study. They were divided into two groups based on the presence of a pulmonary artery sling (PA sling). Perioperative variables were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

Twenty-one of the 28 patients underwent concomitant repair for associated cardiovascular anomalies, including 15 patients with PA sling. The overall incidence of VCP following slide tracheoplasty was 28.6%. The incidences of VCP were 46.7% in patients with CTS and PA sling, which were 14.3% in CTS patients without cardiovascular anomalies. The only risk factor associated with VCP following slide tracheoplasty was a concomitant repair for PA sling. Post-operatively, the duration of nasogastric tube feeding in patients with VCP was significantly longer than that in patients without VCP.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of VCP following slide tracheoplasty for CTS was high, especially in concomitant repair cases for PA sling. Routine screening and evaluation of VCP soon after post-operative extubation is required for its appropriate management.

Closed-PICU perioperative management of congenital tracheal stenosis

BACKGROUND

Perioperative management of congenital tracheal stenosis (CTS) is challenging. In the present study, compared the effect of closed-pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) perioperative management by pediatric intensivists and open-PICU management by surgeons. Outcomes in terms of ventilator-free days (VFD) and length of postoperative PICU stay in children with CTS were evaluated.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study was conducted in a PICU in Japan. Children with CTS who underwent slide tracheoplasty were grouped according to whether they were perioperatively managed in an open (January 2015 to April 2016) or a closed (May 2016 to August 2019) PICU. Data were extracted from patients' medical records.

RESULTS

In total, 13 and 38 patients were included in the open- and closed-PICU groups, respectively. Compared to the open-PICU group, the closed-PICU group had shorter duration of muscle relaxant administration (median 4 vs 5 days; P < 0.001), earlier enteral nutrition (34/38 [90%] vs 1/13 [8%]; P < 0.001), more 28-day VFD (median 21 vs 20 days; P = 0.04), and shorter duration of postoperative PICU stay (median 16 vs 36 days; P = 0.002), but mortality did not differ significantly between the two groups (0/38 [0%] vs 1/13 [8%]; P = 0.25).

CONCLUSIONS

Closed-PICU perioperative management with pediatric intensivists' participation significantly increased 28-day VFD and reduced the length of postoperative PICU stay in patients with congenital tracheal stenosis.

Surgical management of long-segment congenital tracheal stenosis with tracheobronchial malacia

OBJECTIVES

Slide tracheoplasty has become the mainstream treatment for long-segment congenital tracheal stenosis (LSCTS). However, technical improvements are still needed to improve the clinical outcomes of patients exhibiting LSCTS with tracheobronchial malacia.

METHODS

LSCTS patients who underwent tracheoplasty from January 2010 to December 2020 were reviewed. According to the time of surgical technique modifications for reconstructing a supportive carina, the patients were divided into 2 groups: group A (2010-2018) and group B (2019-2020). We identified a well-balanced cohort matched by propensity score to evaluate the differences in surgical outcomes between the 2 groups.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences between group A and group B in any of the 8 characteristics before and after propensity score matching. In the propensity score-matched cohort, the number of patients who accepted anterior carina tracheopexy (75/77 vs 4/77, P < 0.001) and in situ pericardium insertion (75/77 vs 14/77, P < 0.001) in group B was significantly greater than that in group A. The mechanical ventilation time [48.3 (interquartile range: 29.6, 116.3) h vs 73.3 (interquartile range: 47.9, 111.6) h, P = 0.009] and cumulative mortality (P = 0.023) were significantly lower in Group B than Group A.

CONCLUSIONS

Reconstructing a supportive, stable carina of the neotrachea and tracheobronchopexy are helpful to improve the outcomes of slide tracheoplasty.

Surgical Treatment of Patients with Full Tracheal Rings: Our Experience

Introduction: Complete tracheal rings are a rare pathology occurring in 1 out of 100,000 live births. It is rare isolated tracheal or tracheobronchial anomaly resulting from abnormal cartilage growth, forming a complete ring, and leading to airway stenosis. A sliding tracheoplasty, primarily described by Tsang et al. and later widely presented by Grillo et al., overlaps the tracheal stenosing segments and shortens the trachea itself, and thus increases the diameter and circumference of the stenosing area double up. Materials and Methods: We have performed four slide tracheoplasties in the period between February 2019 and December 2020 in children who underwent medical treatment in the department of thoracic surgery in our center. Median age was 10 ± 5.5 months (2 months-1 year 6 months). Median weight was 6.9 ± 1.9 kg (4.5-9 kg). Slide tracheoplasty was performed using central venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in 3 cases and using cardiopulmonary bypass in 1 case. Results: Patients were on artificial lung ventilation for 2-6 days in the postoperative period. Patients were discharged 14-18 days after the surgery. There were no lethal outcomes in our study. Discussion: Long segment congenital tracheal stenosis is an often and serious life-threatening anatomical malformation that bounded the length of trachea >50%. There is no unique treatment strategy for patients with such pathology. Sliding tracheoplasty can be recommended for all, but not for the shortest segments of stenosis, as it creates permissible voltage fluctuations during tracheal anastomosis. Excellent results in management of such severe patients can be achieved only through the collaboration of multidisciplinary team of specialists sharing organized and consistent patient-oriented approach.

Surgical management strategy of slide tracheoplasty for infants with congenital tracheal stenosis

OBJECTIVE

The study objective was to evaluate the outcomes of slide tracheoplasty in infancy and identify predictors of adverse outcomes.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of infants aged less than 1 year with congenital tracheal stenosis who underwent slide tracheoplasty at a single center from April 2010 to September 2020.

RESULTS

Of 120 infants, 71.7% (86/120) had a pulmonary artery sling and 37.5% (45/120) had simultaneous intracardiac repairs. Additionally, 52.5% (63/120) of the patients had anomalous tracheobronchial arborization, and 17.5% (21/120) had diffuse tracheal stenosis. Six airway reoperations (5%) and 6 deaths (5%) occurred, and the mortality decreased annually. Multivariate analysis revealed that a low body weight, cardiovascular anomalies, and normal tracheobronchial arborization predicted a longer intubation duration. Univariate analysis revealed that a low body weight, preoperative invasive ventilation, a long cardiopulmonary bypass time, and granulation tissue were associated with death. After surgery, 26 patients had dysphagia, 24 of whom resumed oral feeding during follow-up. Ninety-two patients underwent chest computed tomography reexamination, and the trachea diameter had increased significantly from 2.32 ± 0.72 mm to 5.46 ± 1.24 mm. Nineteen and 29 patients underwent spirometry before and after surgery, respectively, and showed improvements in ventilation function, with the ratio of time to peak tidal expiratory flow to total expiratory time and ratio of volume to peak tidal expiratory flow to total expiratory volume values significantly improved from 19.80% (interquartile range, 16.90-23.80) and 23.10% (interquartile range, 21.10-25.90) to 26.80% (interquartile range, 21.20-34.40) and 30.20% (interquartile range, 25.00-34.50), respectively (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

A tailored individual management strategy of slide tracheoplasty in infancy facilitates favorable clinical outcomes. Close postoperative follow-up and long-term functional evaluations including clinical symptoms and pulmonary function are still needed.

Long-term outcomes in children undergoing vascular ring division: a multi-institution experience

 

OBJECTIVES

Vascular rings are rare anomalies of congenital heart disease that cause respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms. This study assessed the long-term outcomes of patients with vascular ring division.

METHODS

A multi-institution retrospective review of 371 patients with vascular rings undergoing surgical division at 3 paediatric cardiac institutions between November 2007 and October 2019 was performed.

RESULTS

The complete vascular rings consisted of a double aortic arch (24.5%), right aortic arch with left ligamentum arteriosum (36.7%) and left aortic arch, with right ligamentum arteriosum (0.5%). The incomplete vascular rings consisted of a pulmonary artery sling (22.9%), left aortic arch with aberrant right subclavian artery (15.1%) and innominate artery compression syndrome (0.3%). Respiratory symptoms included stridor (71.4%), wheezing (49.1%), coughing (31.5%), gastrointestinal symptoms included choking (12.4%), dysphagia (3.2%) and emesis (1.9%). Only one patient died after discharge, yielding a late mortality rate of 0.3% (1/360). The 10-year overall survival rate was 96.8%. Postoperative complications were reported in 51 patients, 15 of whom required reoperation. The 10-year freedom from reoperation rate was 95.9%. Follow-up was completed in 95.4% (354/371) of patients, with a mean follow-up time of 4.3 ± 2.9 years (range from 1 to 13 years). Twenty patients (5.6%) experienced residual symptoms during long-term follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

The outcomes of vascular ring division are excellent. A Kommerell diverticulum >1.5 times the aberrant left subclavian artery origin is an operative indication for primary resection. Tracheomalacia is a risk factor for reoperation and residual symptoms, and preoperative fibrobronchoscopy is important for evaluation.

Risk of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Increased in Patients Undergoing Tracheal Surgery During the Same Hospitalization

BACKGROUND

The impact of complex tracheal surgery (TS) on outcomes of children undergoing cardiac surgery has rarely been investigated in large national databases and could impact anticipated outcomes in those patients.

METHODS

The Pediatric Health Information System database was reviewed from January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2014, for pediatric (<18 years) patients undergoing select cardiac surgical procedures using International Classification of Disease-9 procedural coding. Patients were divided based upon having TS (excluding tracheostomy) during the same hospitalization. Patients with tracheal and cardiac surgeries (CHS + TS) were propensity matched in a 1 : 2 fashion to patients undergoing isolated cardiac surgeries without TS (CHS) based upon cardiac procedure(s), age at surgery, gender, and discharge year. Hospital mortality and other outcomes were compared between the 2 matched groups.

RESULTS

The 283 CHS + TS patients were similar to the 566 CHS patients in gender, race, age, cardiac procedures, and presence of chromosomal abnormalities, all P > .05. Hospital mortality was 13.8% (n = 39) for CHS + TS and 5.8% (n = 33) for CHS patients with an unadjusted 2.58 hazard ratio of death (95% confidence interval: 1.59-4.20; P < .001). CHS + TS was also associated with a greater length of stay (63 days vs 12 days), a higher cost per hospitalization ($322 402 vs $80 273), and more readmissions (64.3% [n = 182] vs 41.8% [n = 243]), all P < .001.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients undergoing cardiac and TS in the same hospitalization are at greater risk of in-hospital mortality than patients undergoing similar cardiac surgeries alone and incur higher resource utilization thereafter. The increased risk of mortality is currently underappreciated, but it is important to recognize when discussing expectations with families and providers.

Cardiopulmonary bypass as a bridge for bronchial foreign body removal in a child with pulmonary artery sling: A case report

RATIONALE

Successful removal of an airway foreign body (FB) in some intractable cases can be very challenging, because of tracheal anomalies, unstable respiratory status of the patients, and the location of FB. The use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) support for the treatment of a FB is extremely rare.

PATIENT CONCERNS

We present a case of a 39-month-old previously healthy girl who was admitted to our hospital for suspected FB aspiration (FBA). Initially, the attempt for removal of the FB by conventional bronchoscopy failed because of hypoxic intolerance.

DIAGNOSES

Bronchoscopy revealed tracheal anomalies and subsequent computed tomography angiography demonstrated the presence of a pulmonary artery sling (PAS), which confirmed the diagnosis of PAS accompanied with FBA.

INTERVENTIONS

With the assistance of CPB, multidisciplinary treatment involving the respiratory, cardiothoracic and anesthetic teams were involved and the bronchial FB was removed by flexible bronchoscopy successfully and then PAS was corrected by surgical intervention.

OUTCOMES

The patient remained asymptomatic, without shortness of breath or wheezing during the 15 months follow-up.

LESSONS

This case highlights that in a complicated case of FBA, bronchoscopy and computed tomography imaging are of great importance to achieve an accurate diagnosis, and a multidisciplinary treatment approach is essential for a satisfactory outcome. If the patient is unstable for bronchoscopy, CPB can be temporarily used in the stabilization of the patient to allow safe removal of the FB.

Slide Tracheoplasty for Congenital Tracheal Stenosis Repair: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVES

Congenital tracheal stenosis (CTS) is a rare but life-threatening condition in children. At present, slide tracheoplasty has been advocated as the preferred technique for most cases of CTS. However, the morbidity and mortality subsequent to slide tracheoplasty need further elaboration. Therefore, a meta-analysis was performed on the outcomes of slide tracheoplasty in children with CTS.

STUDY DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

METHODS

Electronic databases, including PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library CENTRAL, were systematically searched for the period from January 1990 to March 2021 for literature that reported clinical outcomes of slide tracheoplasty for children with CTS. Meta-regression and subgroup analyses were performed to determine the risk factors for in-hospital mortality and airway reinterventions.

RESULTS

A total of 25 studies involving 577 patients were included. For children with CTS, in-hospital and overall mortality after slide tracheoplasty was 6.1% (95% CI = 4.2%-8.0%) and 9.7% (95% CI = 7.3%-12.1%), respectively. The incidence of airway reinterventions was 23.0% (95% CI = 15.6%-30.5%). The length of postoperative ventilation and hospital stay was 6.8 days (95% CI = 5.1-8.4 days) and 19.2 days (95% CI = 15.8-22.7 days), respectively. Postoperative complications occurred in 46.6% (95% CI = 35.8%-57.4%) of all patients. Meta-regression analysis showed that a higher proportion of the recently published studies reported significantly better in-hospital survival (coefficient -0.011, P = .021).

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, in-hospital mortality after slide tracheoplasty is 6.1%, and the incidence of airway reinterventions is 23.0%. In-hospital mortality after slide tracheoplasty has decreased chronologically.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

NA Laryngoscope, 2021.

Expert Technique: Pediatric Tracheal Surgery

Substantial improvements in techniques of tracheal surgery for children have occurred in the past 20 years. Precise preoperative imaging with computed tomography clearly defines the anatomy for surgical planning and is assisted by on-the-table needle localization. The use of cardiopulmonary bypass greatly facilitates creation of an airtight, widely patent trachea. The use of Ciprodex as a postoperative nebulizer has significantly decreased granulation tissue along the suture line. Most important has been the adoption of slide tracheoplasty as the procedure of choice.

Improving community-based care for children with a rare condition: The example of long-segment congenital tracheal stenosis and perceptions of health professionals, parents and teachers

BACKGROUND

Long segment congenital tracheal stenosis (LSCTS) is a rare, complex condition which is often poorly understood by community-based health professionals (HPs). Anecdotally, such HPs often lack confidence providing care for children, resulting in children being brought to the tertiary centre more frequently than necessary. We wanted to identify the information and support needs of HPs in primary and secondary care looking after a child with LSCTS, the views of those providing education to these children, and elicit parents' perceptions about community-based services, to improve overall care for children and families.

METHOD

Questionnaires were sent to 175 community-based HPs and 34 teachers involved in the care of children with LSCTS. Face-to-face or telephone interviews were conducted with 12 parents of patients with LSCTS to establish their perceptions of community-based services.

RESULTS

Ninety (51%) completed questionnaires were returned from HPs and 18 (53%) from teachers. Responses indicated low levels of knowledge of LSCTS. Physical, practical and communication information needs were identified by all respondent groups, together with general and condition-specific concerns. Interviews with parents indicated that they thought the level of knowledge about LSCTS in the community was low, which had a negative impact on their willingness to consult local services. Better information provision for HPs, teachers and parents was identified as a means of improving outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Professionals caring for children with LSCTS in the community and in schools have unmet information and support needs, with consequences for children, families, HCPs in both the community and tertiary hospital, and teachers.

The Application of a Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell Membrane in the Vascularization of a Decellularized Tracheal Scaffold

Airway stenosis is a common problem in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). A tissue-engineered trachea is a new therapeutic method and a research hotspot. Successful vascularization is the key to the application of a tissue-engineered trachea. However, successful vascularization studies lack a complete description. In this study, it was assumed that rabbit bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were obtained and induced by ascorbic acid to detect the tissue structure, ultrastructure, and gene expression of the extracellular matrix. A vascular endothelial cell culture medium was added in vitro to induce the vascularization of the stem cell sheet (SCS), and the immunohistochemistry and gene expression of vascular endothelial cell markers were detected. At the same time, vascular growth-related factors were added and detected during SCS construction. After the SCS and decellularized tracheal (DT) were constructed, a tetrandrine allograft was performed to observe its vascularization potential. We established the architecture and identified rabbit bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell membranes by 14 days of ascorbic acid, studied the role of a vascularized membrane in inducing bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells by in vitro ascorbic acid, and assessed the role of combining the stem cell membranes and noncellular tracheal scaffolds in vivo. Fourteen experiments confirmed that cell membranes promote angiogenesis at gene level. The results of 21-day in vitro experiments showed that the composite tissue-engineered trachea had strong angiogenesis. In vivo experiments show that a composite tissue-engineered trachea has strong potential for angiogenesis. It promotes the understanding of diseases of airway stenosis and tissue-engineered tracheal regeneration in newborns and small infants.

Treatment of tracheal stenosis with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support in infants and newborns

Tracheal stenosis in children is a challenge for the healthcare team, since it is a rare disease. Patients usually have other clinical comorbidities, mainly previous cardiac surgical interventions. This retrospective single-center study included infants with tracheal stenosis (congenital or acquired) operated between 2016 and 2020 on venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO). Five patients were operated and the median age of detection of the tracheal disease was 3.7 months, and the median age at the operation was 5 months. All patients had associated cardiac anomalies. Four patients had congenital tracheal stenosis; two with associated pig bronchus. One patient had acquired subglottic stenosis with concomitant stenosis at the carina. After the operation, the patients were referred to ICU on ECMO with an open chest. Minor ECMO-related complications occurred in two patients (hemothorax and wound infection). All patients required endoscopic evaluation during the postoperative care; median of 3.2 procedures. Two patients are currently in follow-up and three have died. Slide tracheoplasty with VA-ECMO can be successfully performed in infants with prior cardiac surgery. Nevertheless, a difficult postoperative course should be anticipated, with possible prolonged ECMO use, readmissions, and higher morbidity and mortality than in children with tracheal stenosis alone.

Lung Hypoplasia Associated With Ring-Sling Complex Is Usually Right-Sided

BACKGROUND

Pulmonary artery sling (PAS) is usually associated with long-segment congenital tracheal stenosis (LSCTS). This combination of abnormalities can also be associated with lung hypoplasia abnormalities (hypoplasia, aplasia, or agenesis). This study analyzed the association of lung hypoplasia abnormalities with combined PAS and LSCTS and its influence on its surgical outcomes.

METHODS

All patients (0 to 18 years) who underwent surgical procedures for both PAS and LSCTS from 1995 to 2019 were analyzed retrospectively for mortality, ventilation days, and intensive care unit days by dividing them into those with normal lungs (group 1) and hypoplastic lungs (group 2).

RESULTS

Included were 75 patients (30 girls [40%]), who were a median age of 5.7 months (interquartile range [IQR], 2.9-13.3 months), median weight of 5.5 kg (IQR, 4.1-7.9 kg), and had a median follow-up of 99.8 months (IQR, 54.5-152.0 months); of these, 8 patients (10.7%) had hypoplastic right lung, comprising hypoplasia in 7 (87.5%), aplasia in 1 (12.5%), and agenesis in 0 (0%). There was a significant difference in mortality (group 1, 9.0%; group 2, 50%; P = .007) but no significant difference in median ventilation days (group 1, 9.0; group 2, 9.0; P = .89) or in median intensive care unit days (group 1, 14.0; group 2, 11.5; P = .44).

CONCLUSIONS

Lung hypoplasia associated with PAS and LSCTS is usually right-sided. As a result of severe airway obstruction and single-lung physiology, there is a high requirement of preoperative cardiorespiratory support and a significant association with adverse surgical outcomes.

Pediatric bronchoscopy: recent advances and clinical challenges

Introduction: During the last 40 years equipment has been improved with smaller instruments and sufficient size working channels. This has ensured that bronchoscopy offers therapeutic and interventional options.Areas covered: We provide a review of recent advances and clinical challenges in pediatric bronchoscopy. This includes single-use bronchoscopes, endobronchial ultrasound, and cryoprobe. Bronchoscopy in persistent preschool wheezing and asthma is included. The indications for interventional bronchoscopy have amplified and included balloon dilatation, endoscopic intubation, the use of airway stents, whole lung lavage, closing of fistulas and air leak, as well as an update on removal of foreign bodies. Others include the use of laser and microdebrider in airway surgery. Experience with bronchoscope during the COVID-19 pandemic has been included in this review. PubMed was searched for articles on pediatric bronchoscopy, including rigid bronchoscopy as well as interventional bronchoscopy with a focus on reviewing literature in the past 5 years.Expert opinion: As the proficiency of pediatric interventional pulmonologists continues to grow more interventions are being performed. There is a scarcity of published evidence in this field. Courses for pediatric interventional bronchoscopy need to be developed. The COVID-19 experience resulted in safer bronchoscopy practice for all involved.

The Use of Intraoperative Peripheral Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in High-Risk Airways Tumor Removal Procedures in Neonates and Children: A Single-Center Case Series

Airway surgery involving trachea or main stem bronchi in neonates and children is challenging. The use of extracorporeal support for such unusual indications is poorly described. Here, we report on three patients receiving peripheral extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) to maintain adequate ventilation while improving surgical site exposure. Case 1 is a 9-year-old boy diagnosed with proximal left stem bronchus endoluminal tumor; cases 2 and 3 are a neonate and a young infant diagnosed with a subcarinal bronchogenic cyst. Planned ECMO use consisted in peripheral venoarterial cannulation through jugular and carotid access. There was no bleeding complication during and after surgical care. Hemodynamic and respiratory supports were optimized in all cases. Children were successfully weaned off ECMO immediately after surgery. Planned peripheral ECMO cannulation offers optimal conditions for high-risk airway surgery in neonates and children.

Bridging bronchus (pseudocarina) and left pulmonary artery sling: A case report and literature review

Congenital airway malformations can present with respiratory distress, cyanosis, and difficulty feeding in the neonate or infant. Clinical presentation may vary from asymptomatic to fatal airway obstruction. They may exist in isolation or in association with vascular rings and slings, bronchopulmonary malformations, and/or syndromes. We present an unusual case of bridging bronchus, complete bronchial rings, and left pulmonary artery sling presenting with recurrent croup, highlighting the importance of bronchoscopy and CT imaging to achieve an accurate diagnosis in patients with recurrent croup and/or respiratory failure not responding to usual treatment measures and a multidisciplinary treatment approach.

Repair of pulmonary artery sling with tracheal and intracardiac defects

BACKGROUND

Pulmonary artery sling is commonly associated with tracheal stenosis and intracardiac anomalies. While surgical repair is standardized, coexistent anomalies often determine outcomes. With the paucity of risk stratification, this study aimed to review our experience and stratify risk factors for the surgical outcome of complex pulmonary artery sling repair in the presence of airway or intracardiac lesions.

METHODS

Seventy-nine consecutive children with pulmonary artery sling were evaluated retrospectively following surgical repair. Median age at surgery was 5 months (interquartile range 3-9). Surgical approaches included pulmonary artery sling alone (n = 10), pulmonary artery sling with tracheoplasty (n = 41), and pulmonary artery sling with both intracardiac and tracheal surgery (n = 28).

RESULTS

There were 7 early (8.8%) deaths. Two patients after left pulmonary artery reimplantation needed revision of the anastomosis. The median intensive care and hospital stay were 11 (interquartile range 9.2-24.8) and 17.9 (interquartile range 4.3-19.8) days, and considerably longer when associated tracheal surgery (p = 0.002). Follow-up was complete in 66/69 and 3 (3.8%) children died late: 2.7, 10.2, and 17 months after surgery. Univariate analysis showed abnormal lung and coexisting structural heart disease as risk factors. Multivariate analysis revealed total cardiopulmonary bypass time as an independent predictor of overall mortality.

CONCLUSION

Complex pulmonary artery sling repair can be performed with a good surgical outcomes even when associated with airway malformations or structural heart diseases. Lung abnormality and longer cardiopulmonary bypass time as a surrogate marker of complex surgery, are possible risk factors.

Computational Evaluation of Surgical Design for Multisegmental Complex Congenital Tracheal Stenosis

Multisegmental complex congenital tracheal stenosis (CTS) is an uncommon but potentially life-threatening malformation of the airway. Staged surgery is indicated for the complex pathophysiology of the abnormal trachea. Surgical intervention to fix the stenotic segments may result in different postoperative outcomes. However, only few studies reported the design of surgical correction for multisegmental CTS. We used computer-aided design (CAD) to simulate surgical correction under different schemes to develop a patient-specific tracheal model with two segmental stenoses. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was used to compare the outcomes of different designs. Aerodynamic parameters of the trachea were evaluated. An obvious interaction was found between the two segments of stenosis in different surgical designs. The surgical corrective order of stenotic segments greatly affected the aerodynamic parameters and turbulence flows downstream of tracheal stenosis and upstream of the bronchus. Patient-specific studies using CAD and CFD minimize the risk of staged surgical correction and facilitate quantitative evaluation of surgical design for multiple segments of complex CTS.

Quality of life can be good after slide tracheoplasty for long-segment tracheal stenosis

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this study were to measure 'health-related quality of life' (HRQoL) in children following slide tracheoplasty for long-segment tracheal stenosis (LSTS) and to explore the relationship of comorbidities and parental mental health with HRQoL outcomes.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was undertaken with children who had undergone slide tracheoplasty. Participants included parents and children (age 5-15 years) recruited over a 13-month period, who were asked to complete validated measures of HRQoL, development and behaviour. Scores were compared to published norms.

RESULTS

Forty-two children (male 69%; n = 29) were included; mean age was 5.3 (standard deviation 3.5) years and mean follow-up was 45 (range 4-179) months. Mean total HRQoL scores for children with repaired LSTS did not differ from those of healthy norms other than for children aged 13-23 months, but 10 children (24%) had scores >2 SD below the mean for healthy children. HRQoL was poorer in children with non-cardiac congenital comorbidities than in those with isolated LSTS (mean scores 60.34 ± 17.19 and 85.52 ± 12.19, respectively, P = 0.01). There was good agreement between children's and parents' scores, although children rated their HRQoL as better than their parents did. Anxious parents rated their children's HRQoL as significantly worse than non-anxious parents (P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Older children with isolated LSTS can have excellent HRQoL after surgery. Younger children, at an earlier time point postoperatively, and those with non-cardiac congenital comorbidities have poorer HRQoL. Further longitudinal evaluation is required to identify psycho-social (including parental) predictors of outcome which may inform, or be amenable to, intervention.

Switch to Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation During Cardiac and Tracheal Repair

Simultaneous repair of congenital tracheal and cardiovascular lesions remains challenging in small patients. We describe two infants weighing less than 3 kg who underwent successful tracheoplasty with concomitant correction of complex heart anomalies. In both operations, cardiopulmonary bypass was switched to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation after cardiac repair to optimize hemostatic function with transfusion and maintain activated clotting time at 200 to 240 seconds. Slide tracheoplasty was performed in a bloodless field, which prevented intraoperative hemorrhage from running down the divided lower trachea into the lung and causing airway obstruction. Both patients were weaned from extracorporeal support during surgery and extubated within 9 days.

Congenital tracheal stenosis & associated cardiac anomalies: operative management & techniques

Congenital tracheal stenosis can lead to symptomatic airway obstruction in children and often mandates surgical correction. Over the past half-century, numerous tracheal reconstruction techniques have been developed, including tracheal resection with end-to-end anastomosis (for short-segment complete tracheal stenosis), patch tracheoplasty, slide tracheoplasty, and homograft and autograft augmentation repairs. However, operative management of congenital tracheal stenosis is often complicated by the presence of congenital heart disease, the most common of which is pulmonary artery sling. When present concomitantly, combined repair of both defects is feasible and is currently the preferred approach. Questions have been raised about the optimal timing and sequence of surgery, and some have advocated staged repair for patients with complex associated cardiac lesions. However, evidence from the past two decades suggests that concomitant repair can be performed with excellent results. The current standard of care involves the use of cardiopulmonary bypass to simultaneously repair the tracheal defect using slide tracheoplasty and all associated cardiac anomalies. Advances in operative techniques and extracorporeal circulation, progressive understanding of the pathological basis of combined congenital tracheal and cardiac disease, and a multidisciplinary approach to patient care have all contributed to the successful outcomes seen in the modern era. This article describes the combined surgical correction of tracheal stenosis and double-outlet right ventricle-tetralogy of Fallot type in an infant, provides a detailed step-by-step description for performing a slide tracheoplasty along with various other less favored tracheoplasty techniques, and reviews the current literature discussing such combined repairs.

Clinical and structural aspects of tracheal stenosis and a novel embryological hypothesis of left pulmonary artery sling

OBJECTIVES

To identify the imaging features peculiar to congenital tracheal stenosis (CTS) complicated with left pulmonary artery sling (LPAS) with the aim of presenting a hypothesis of tracheal stenosis embryology in LPAS.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed CTS patients (with complete cartilaginous rings) admitted between April 2010 and July 2018. All the patients were classified into the LPAS or non-LPAS group, and their clinical characteristics and qualitative variables on computed tomography (CT) imaging were compared.

RESULTS

Of the 72 patients enrolled, 61 had bilateral lungs. Among the bilateral lung patients, 26 (43%) had LPAS. The tracheal bifurcation was significantly deeper, the stenotic region was longer, and the bronchial angle (especially in the right) was wider, in the LPAS group. The cut-off values for the thoracic vertebral level at the tracheal bifurcation (>4.8), subcarinal angle (>118.1), and right bronchial angle (>61.9) were useful for diagnosing suspected cases of LPAS. In the time-dependent course, LPAS complicated with a congenital heart defect was a statistically significant risk factor of respiratory symptoms (hazard ratio, 3.01; 95% confidence interval, 1.23-7.37; P = .02).

CONCLUSIONS

The CT findings described here should immediately raise suspicion of LPAS on chest X-ray and also suggest tracheal "squeezing and milking" by the surrounding vessels in the embryo. Patients with LPAS complicated with a heart defect should be followed carefully to determine the optimal timing of intervention.

Slide tracheoplasty: Predictors of outcomes and literature review

OBJECTIVE

Determine preoperative comorbidities and intraoperative parameters associated with adverse postoperative outcomes.

METHODS

Retrospective case series at a single tertiary care children's hospital from 2010 through 2017.

RESULTS

Twenty-six patients with median age of 6 months and median weight of 7.1 kg underwent slide tracheoplasty. Median time to extubation, length of intensive care unit admission, and length of hospitalization were 7, 27, and 30 days, respectively. Twenty-two (85%) required no additional intervention. Overall success was 87%. One (4%) patient required open revision, and 3 (11%) required tracheostomy. Concomitant cardiac surgery was associated with postoperative tracheostomy (p = 0.04). Age and weight at surgery were inversely correlated with length of intubation (p = 0.03) and length of hospital stay (p = 0.001, p = 0.002) respectively. Hospital stay was 2.2 times longer if preoperative mechanical ventilation was required (p = 0.01) and 39% longer for every 1 mm decrease in airway diameter at the narrowest portion of the stenosis (p = 0.005). There were no deaths related to persistent tracheal stenosis with a median follow-up of 24 months.

CONCLUSION

Slide tracheoplasty is safe and effective. Concomitant cardiac surgery was associated with postoperative tracheostomy. Lower age and weight at surgery were correlated with longer length of intubation and hospital stay. Preoperative mechanical ventilation and smaller airway diameter were associated with longer hospital stay. This information may be helpful in counseling families and planning future prospective studies.

Outcome of congenital tracheal stenosis in children over two decades in a national cardiothoracic surgical unit

OBJECTIVE

To assess the outcomes of congenital tracheal stenosis among children.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective review of all children who underwent surgical repair of congenital tracheal stenosis reviewing charts, operative notes, echocardiograms, CT and MRI data from January 2002 to February 2019.

RESULTS

Twenty-six children underwent surgical treatment for tracheal stenosis. The median age was 3 months (range 0.3-35 months) and the median weight was 4.7 kg (range 2.5-13 kg) at the time of surgical intervention. Stridor was the most common presenting symptom in 17 patients (65% of patients). Twenty-one patients (81%) had concurrent cardiac anomalies, with pulmonary arterial sling being the most common, present in nine patients (34%). Extracorporeal life support was utilised in seven patients (27%) pre-operatively. Laryngeal release was required in 16 patients. In 7 patients an end-to-end anastomosis was performed, in 18 patients slide tracheoplasty, and 1 patient had a double slide tracheoplasty. The median cardiopulmonary bypass time was 106 minutes (range 25-255 minutes). The median cross-clamp time was 30 minutes (range 5-67 minutes). The median post-operative duration of ventilation was 5 days (range 0.5-16 days). The median ICU length of stay was 12.5 days (range 2-60 days). There were three hospital mortalities with 88% survival. One patient only required reintervention with balloon dilation. Twenty-two patients (85%) remained symptom-free on median follow-up at 7.6 years (range 0.2-17 years). Two patients since 2017 had 3D printed tracheas produced from CT imaging to assist surgical planning.

CONCLUSION

Congenital tracheal stenosis can be managed effectively with excellent outcomes and 3D printed models assist in planning the optimal surgical intervention.