Tracheal stenosis: the long and the short of it

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.

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.

Extended tracheal resections

There is no universally valid definition of the extent of tracheal resections that would be considered "extended." Underlying disease, necessary length of resection, anatomic localization, and chosen surgical approach account for a manifold interdependency. Existing data suggest a "cutoff margin" of 4 cm or more, referring to the likelihood of complications and necessity of additional mobilization maneuvers. This overview outlines worldwide experiences and the surgical variety of possibilities, as well as their execution and appropriate use.

Slide thyrocricotracheoplasty for the treatment of high-grade subglottic stenosis in children

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to describe our early experiences with a novel surgical procedure, "slide thyrocricotracheoplasty," for the treatment of high-grade subglottic stenosis in children.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective analysis was performed in 7 children who underwent slide thyrocricotracheoplasty for high-grade subglottic stenosis from 1996 to 2009.

RESULTS

Three patients were male and four were female. The etiology of subglottic stenosis was congenital (n = 4) or acquired (n = 3). All patients had undergone a tracheostomy before slide thyrocricotracheoplasty. Median age at operation was 16 months (range, 1-25 months). The median follow-up period after definitive operation was 58 months (range, 13-156 months). There was one case requiring debridement and re-anastomosis of slide thyrocricotracheoplasty site because of anastomotic disruption caused by a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection of the cartilage and one case requiring a minor operation to remove granulation tissue. At final follow-up, all patients did not have any airway cannulation with satisfactory functional outcome in terms of breathing and swallowing. All except one were noted to have acceptable vocal function. The patient with unsatisfactory vocal function continued to receive voice rehabilitation treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Slide thyrocricotracheoplasty offers an efficient surgical treatment option with minimal morbidity for high-grade subglottic stenosis in children.

Fetal laryngeal stenosis/atresia and congenital high airway obstructive syndrome (CHAOS): a case report

Congenital high airway obstructive syndrome (CHAOS) is a rare but fatal disease with predictably characteristic features including stenotic or atretic upper airway, hyperplastic lungs, elevated diaphragm, massive fetal ascites and fetal hydrops. Diagnosis of CHAOS by ultrasound scan is possible and clinically important since advanced intrauterine surgery to correct the defect is possible. We report a case of fetus of CHAOS with massive ascites, pulmonary hyperplasia and laryngeal stenosis/atresia. We feel that it is important to recognize the entity both by ultrasound scan and by the pathologist so that some cases can be corrected by intrauterine fetal surgery.

Long-segment tracheal stenosis: Slide tracheoplasty and a multidisciplinary approach improve outcomes and reduce costs

OBJECTIVE

Long-segment tracheal stenosis is rare, life-threatening, difficult, and expensive to treat. Management remains controversial. A multidisciplinary tracheal team was formed in 2000 to deal with a large number of children with airway problems referred for management. We review the effect of that service, comparing the era before and after the establishment of the multidisciplinary tracheal team.

METHODS

From January 1998 through January 2004, 34 patients with long-segment tracheal stenosis (21 patients with cardiovascular anomalies) underwent surgical intervention. Cardiopulmonary bypass was used in all operations. Before the multidisciplinary tracheal team, pericardial patch tracheoplasty with or without an autograft technique was the preferred method of repair. After the multidisciplinary tracheal team, an integrated care plan preferring slide tracheoplasty was initiated, correcting cardiac lesions simultaneously.

RESULTS

Before the establishment of the multidisciplinary tracheal team, pericardial patch tracheoplasty was performed in 15 of 19 patients. Twelve patients had a suspended pericardial patch tracheoplasty, 2 (17%) of whom died late after the operation. Of 3 patients who had had a simple unsuspended patch, 2 (67%) died early after the operation. Four patients were operated on with the tracheal autograft technique, 2 (50%) dying early in the postoperative period. After multidisciplinary tracheal team formation, in the era between 2001 and 2004, 15 patients were operated on with slide tracheoplasty, and there were 2 (13%) early postoperative deaths. A significant reduction in cost and duration of stay has been shown both in the intensive care unit and the hospital.

CONCLUSION

Our data suggest that a formalized multidisciplinary team approach and a policy of primary slide tracheoplasty are beneficial in the management of children with long-segment tracheal stenosis.

Slide tracheoplasty for congenital tracheal stenosis

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to add to the experience of slide tracheoplasty in infants with congenital tracheal stenosis (CTS), to review the recent literature on this subject, and to evaluate the diagnostic workup in infants with CTS.

METHODS

A retrospective review of 3 infants with CTS treated with slide tracheoplasty was conducted at our institution. They all underwent bronchoscopy, tracheobronchography, and echocardiography. Therapy consisted of slide tracheoplasty and simultaneous correction of associated vascular malformations.

RESULTS

A pulmonary artery sling was missed initially on esophagography in 2 patients. Stridor became worse in 2 patients after tracheobronchography. After surgical therapy, 2 patients survived and were discharged 12 days after surgery. Both are without symptoms at follow-up of 12 and 20 months. One patient had inoperable restenosis and died 27 days after the operation.

CONCLUSIONS

Esophagography is not a reliable tool to depict associated vascular anomalies for patients with CTS. According to the literature, computer tomography has become more reliable to depict the tracheobronchial tree and is useful to elucidate associated vascular anomalies as well. Compared with other surgical techniques for infants with CTS reported in the literature, slide tracheoplasty has fewer postoperative complications and comparable survival rates.

Tracheoplasty for long segment congenital tracheal stenosis: analysis of 29 patients over two decades

PURPOSE

The authors determined the long-term outcome of patients who underwent surgical repair of long-segment congenital tracheal stenosis (LCTS) and compared the quality of cartilage graft and slide tracheoplasty techniques.

METHODS

Twenty-nine patients underwent surgical repair of LCTS at 29 days to 9 years of age. In 26 patients, more than 50% of the entire length of the trachea was involved. The early 12 patients (1981 through 1992) were treated with a costal cartilage graft for tracheal reconstruction. The remaining 17 patients (1997 through 2002) were treated with slide tracheoplasty. For both procedures, a median sternotomy was preferred because of convenience when using extracorporeal circulation and for simultaneous repair of associated cardiovascular anomalies.

RESULTS

Of the 12 patients who underwent a costal cartilage graft, 8 survived (66%). Six of these patients are free of disease, but 2 have persistent airway problems. Three patients died of residual stenosis and 1 of unrelated disease. Of the 17 patients who underwent slide tracheoplasty, 13 survived (76%), and 10 are free of disease. Three patients continue to require a stent because of tracheomalacia and granulation. Two patients died of cardiac failure, 1 of granulation, and 1 of aspiration pneumonia.

CONCLUSIONS

The authors challenged LCTS with a unique surgical approach and succeeded in making an incurable disease curable. When the cartilage graft technique is compared with slide tracheoplasty, however, the latter is preferable because it preserves native tracheal tissue with less frequent complications.

The management of congenital tracheal stenosis

This paper reviews current concepts and results in the management of congenital tracheal stenosis (CTS). Diagnostic options are considered and the requirements for successful management defined. Chief amongst these is a multi-disciplinary approach with individualised patient management. Severe long-segment CTS represents the biggest challenge to clinicians and the worst problems for affected families. Near-death episodes are frequent in affected infants and some cannot be ventilated and require ECMO. Associated cardiovascular anomalies are frequent. Patients require immediate resuscitation and transfer to a specialist unit. After careful assessment, accurate diagnosis and discussion, primary resection and end-to-end repair with a slide technique should always be the first option, with concomitant repair of associated cardiac anomalies. If this is impossible because of the severity of the lesion, some form of patch tracheoplasty will be indicated. Cardiopulmonary bypass is often required. Patches include pericardium, autograft trachea, carotid artery, cartilage, and allograft trachea. Mortality ranges from 0 to 30% in the literature, which largely comprises single-centre long-term experience. Recurrence is common and can be managed by stenting and tracheal homograft implantation. Long-term quality of life of survivors is little reported but seems good. Physiological data are lacking. To improve results, we suggest a treatment algorithm to rationalise care.

Patterns of management of congenital tracheal stenosis

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Stenosing airway disease, including congenital and acquired lesions, is rare in the pediatric age group. Until recently, the outlook for patients with congenital tracheal stenosis (CTS) was dismal because medical management was the only way of treatment. Surgical and endoscopical techniques developed in the last years have improved the prognosis. This report reviews the short and long-term outcomes of a single-institution experience in the management of CTS in children, comparing different treatment modalities.

METHODS

From 1991 to 2002, 13 cases of CTS have been managed in the authors unit. Respiratory symptoms varied from mild stridor on exertion to severe distress. Bronchoscopy established the diagnosis in all cases. According to clinical and endoscopical features, patients have been classified into 3 groups. The following data have been studied in each case: sex, age at diagnosis and treatment, anatomic type, associated anomalies, treatment modality, complications, outcome, and time of follow-up.

RESULTS

Seven girls and 6 boys have been included in this study. Age at diagnosis ranged from 3 days to 7 years (median, 8 months), and 77% showed associated anomalies. Four patients presented mild or no symptoms and have been treated expectantly. The other 9 patients have been operated on because of persistent or severe symptomatology. The following procedures have been performed: costal cartilage tracheoplasty (n = 5), tracheal resection (n = 3), slide tracheoplasty (n = 2), endoscopical dilatation (n = 3), and laser resection (n = 1). Three patients required 2 or more procedures, and there were 3 early deaths, all after costal cartilage tracheoplasty. Overall mortality rate in the series is 23%. Follow-up is complete in all survivors (n = 10) ranging from 6 months to 10 years (mean, 4.7 years).

CONCLUSIONS

Selection of the type of treatment depends on the patient's clinical status and the anatomic pattern of the stenosis. In symptomatic cases of short-segment stenoses the authors prefer tracheal resection with end-to-end anastomosis; for long-segment stenoses, slide tracheoplasty is the procedure of choice.

Slide tracheoplasty for the management of complete tracheal rings

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Although rare, complete tracheal rings are the most common cause of congenital tracheal stenosis. The last 2 decades have seen an evolution in management, with increasing awareness of the potential advantages of slide tracheoplasty.

METHODS

Between March 2001 and August 2002, 11 children had complete tracheal rings corrected by slide tracheoplasty. Ages ranged from newborn to 15 years, and weight ranged from 1.8 to 57 kg. Length of stenosis ranged from 3 rings to virtually the whole length of the trachea. The most narrow point in the airway varied from less than 1.9 mm to 4.8 mm. Eight children had other congenital anomalies, severe in one child. Most children underwent repair on cardiopulmonary bypass.

RESULTS

Nine children are asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic, although 2 have endoscopic evidence of mild residual tracheal stenosis. One child, who had been unstable pre-operatively, died of multiple organ failure 7 weeks postoperatively. A second child required a tracheotomy for bronchomalacia at 6 months and died at 9 months with tracheotomy tube occlusion. Both children had adequate tracheal repairs. Complications have included lateral tracheal stenosis (the "Figure 8" trachea) and recurrent laryngeal nerve damage.

CONCLUSIONS

Our management of complete tracheal rings has evolved over the last decade, and slide tracheoplasty currently is our preferred surgical approach for tracheal stenosis regardless of the length of narrowing.