Excessive Tracheal Length in Patients With Congenital Tracheal Stenosis

Slide tracheoplasty for congenital tracheal stenosis: A systematic review

INTRODUCTION

Slide tracheoplasty has become the gold standard surgery for congenital tracheal stenosis (CTS). This condition is rare and the surgery can be challenging and is performed by experienced surgeons in tertiary centers. A few reports involving relatively small cohorts have been published. The aim of this review is to evaluate the post-operative mortality and morbidity of pediatric slide tracheoplasty for CTS.

METHODS

A systematic literature review was performed according to PRISMA guidelines. The Medline and EMBASE databases were screened using a search strategy defined in collaboration with a librarian. We included articles reporting the post-operative mortality rate of slide tracheoplasties for treatment of CTS in children, when at least 10 patients were included.

RESULTS

A total of 932 articles were reviewed, and 15 studies were eligible with a total of 845 patients. The overall post-operative mortality rate was 9.3 %, and most deaths were airway related. The open revision surgery rate after surgery was 2.8 % and the endoscopic revision rate was 27.6 %.

DISCUSSION

This study highlights key factors to consider before the surgery and helps anticipate post-operative follow-up considerations for children with CTS. Several factors were identified as predictors of mortality including young age, weight at the time of surgery and association with lung hypoplasia or aplasia.

CONCLUSION

Although slide tracheoplasty has gained popularity in recent years due to better outcomes, it remains a major surgery with mortality risk and the need for multidisciplinary management.

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.

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.

Comparison of Slide Tracheoplasty Technique on Postoperative Anatomic Outcomes in Three-Dimensional Printed Models

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS

We hypothesized that the use of three-dimensional (3D) printed tracheal models to reproducibly simulate surgical technique variations in slide tracheoplasty would demonstrate the quantitative impact of surgical variables on postoperative tracheal dimensions.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective analysis of three-dimensional printed surgical simulation models.

METHODS

Slide tracheoplasty was performed on 3D printed long segment tracheal stenosis models with combinations of tracheal transection incision angle (90°, 45° beveled superior to inferior, 45° beveled inferior to superior) and tracheal transection location relative to the stenosis (at midpoint, 2 mm each superior and inferior to midpoint). Postoperative computed tomography (CT) scans measured changes in tracheal length, volume, and cross-sectional area compared to controls. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way analysis of variance and unpaired two-tailed t-tests.

RESULTS

Slide tracheoplasty yielded 27 reconstructed tracheas. On average, slide tracheoplasty reduced total tracheal length by 36%. Beveled tracheal incisions yielded 9.5% longer final tracheas than straight transection incisions (P < .0001). Cross-sectional area at the stenosis midpoint increased from 9.0 mm² to 45 mm² but did not vary with technique (P > .05). Total tracheal luminal volume increased from 900 mm³ to 1378 mm³ overall and was largest with beveled incisions (P = .03). More material was discarded with straight incisions compared to beveled (89 mg vs. 19 mg, P < .0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Beveled tracheal transection incisions resulted in increased tracheal length, longer anastomotic segments, increased volume, and reduced tissue waste as compared to straight incisions. Offsetting the incision from the midpoint of stenosis did not significantly affect reconstructed tracheal morphology. Using 3D printed models for surgical simulation can be helpful for the quantitative study of the effect isolated surgical variables on technical outcomes.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

3 Laryngoscope, 2021.

Relationship between a Tracheal and Left Pulmonary Artery Stenosis Index and the Prognosis of Pulmonary Artery Sling with Tracheal Stenosis

Pulmonary artery sling is a rare congenital pulmonary vascular malformation, often associated with tracheal or bronchial stenosis. Surgical treatment of pulmonary artery sling with tracheal stenosis (T) has a high risk of death and a relatively poor prognosis. This study explored the relationship between the T and left pulmonary artery stenosis (P) ratio and the effects of surgery for pulmonary artery sling with tracheal stenosis. Patients undergoing surgery for pulmonary artery sling in our center from January 2010 to December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Routine cardiac-enhanced computed tomography (CT) was performed preoperatively, and the P and T diameters were measured on the CT image. The T/P ratio was then calculated and analyzed. Thirty cases of pulmonary artery sling combined with tracheal stenosis were operated under cardiopulmonary bypass. The mean age at operation was 13.8 ± 13.6 months (1.2-57.1 months, Q1-Q3: 5-17 months), and the mean body weight was 8.8 ± 3.5 kg (3.8-17.3 kg, Q1-Q3: 5.8-11.5 kg). Twenty-three patients survived, and seven died, with an overall survival rate of 76.7%. Twenty-four patients underwent left pulmonary artery re-implantation, six patients underwent simultaneous left pulmonary artery re-implantation and slide tracheoplasty, and patients with intracardiac malformations (ventricular septal defect (n = 6) and atrial septal defect (n = 4)) underwent concurrent repair of the intracardiac defect. All cases had different degrees of tracheal stenosis, and the most narrowed trachea occurred with compression by the left pulmonary artery sling. The T/P ratio in the tracheoplasty group was significantly higher than that in the non-tracheoplasty group. The mortality rate in the T/P ≤ 1.15 group was significantly lower than that in the T/P > 1.15 group. Pulmonary artery sling treatment has a high risk of death. Left pulmonary artery re-implantation is an effective and safe surgical method for treating pulmonary artery sling, and slide tracheoplasty is an effective surgical method to correct tracheal stenosis. Children with T > 78.4% should receive active intervention for the tracheal stenosis, and these children have a considerable postoperative survival rate. The T/P ratio can be used to compare the relative superiority of the two compressions. A T/P ratio > 1.15 can be used as a reference index for intervention in tracheal stenosis and is a risk factor for postoperative death.

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.

Tracheal anomalies associated with Down syndrome: A systematic review

INTRODUCTION

Airway anomalies are accountable for a substantial part of morbidity and mortality in children with Down syndrome (DS). Although tracheal anomalies occur more often in DS children, a structured overview on the topic is lacking. We systematically reviewed the characteristics of tracheal anomalies in DS children.

METHODS

A MEDLINE and EMBASE search for DS and tracheal anomalies was performed. Tracheal anomalies included tracheal stenosis, complete tracheal ring deformity (CTRD), tracheal bronchus, tracheomalacia, tracheal web, tracheal agenesis or atresia, laryngotracheoesophageal cleft type 3 or 4, trachea sleeve, and absent tracheal rings.

RESULTS

Fifty-nine articles were included. The trachea of DS children is significantly smaller than non-DS children. Tracheomalacia and tracheal bronchus are seen significantly more often in DS children. Furthermore, tracheal stenosis, CTRD, and tracheal compression by vascular structures are seen regularly in children with DS. These findings are reflected by the significantly higher frequency of tracheostomy and tracheoplasty performed in DS children.

CONCLUSION

In children with DS, tracheal anomalies occur more frequently and tracheal surgery is performed more frequently than in non-DS children. When complaints indicative of tracheal airway obstruction like biphasic stridor, dyspnea, or wheezing are present in children with DS, diagnostic rigid laryngotracheobronchoscopy with special attention to the trachea is indicated. Furthermore, imaging studies (computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and ultrasound) play an important role in the workup of DS children with airway symptoms. Management depends on the type, number, and extent of tracheal anomalies. Surgical treatment seems to be the mainstay in severe cases.