Extratracheal biodegradable splint to treat life-threatening tracheomalacia

Ann Thorac Surg. 2004 Oct;78(4):1446-8. doi: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2003.07.049.

Abstract

A 9-month-old girl presented with life-threatening acute respiratory failure 1 week after the surgical correction of a double aortic arch, which was due to a severe bulging of the pars membranacea into the lumen of the trachea that produced a complete obstruction of the lower trachea. Under cardiopulmonary bypass, a Y-shaped posterior biodegradable splint was placed behind the trachea and sutured to the posterior trachea, and a simultaneous right aortic arch aortopexy was performed. Thereafter, the child recovered normal respiratory function. Follow-up bronchoscopy showed a posterior dip at the splint level and an asymptomatic persistent posterior compression of the right main bronchus.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Absorbable Implants*
  • Airway Obstruction / etiology
  • Aorta, Thoracic / abnormalities
  • Aorta, Thoracic / surgery
  • Cardiopulmonary Bypass
  • Child
  • Equipment Design
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Postoperative Complications / etiology
  • Postoperative Complications / surgery
  • Reoperation
  • Respiratory Insufficiency / etiology
  • Respiratory Insufficiency / surgery*
  • Splints*
  • Tracheal Diseases / complications
  • Tracheal Diseases / surgery*