Innominate artery compression of the trachea in infancy and childhood: is surgical therapy justified?
We reviewed innominate artery compression of the trachea in 10 medically treated patients (group I) and 6 children who underwent innominate arteriopexy (group II). The symptoms were as follows: (1) stridor (80% in group I, and 66% in group II), (2) recurrent bronchopulmonary infections (40% in group I, 66% in group II) and (3) apneic attacks (10% in group I and 100% in group II). Diagnosis was made in all cases by tracheobronchoscopy . It revealed severe tracheal stenosis (narrowing more than 2 thirds) in all children treated by surgery. In group I the tracheal stenosis was mild (narrowing less than one third) in 5 cases, moderate (narrowing from one third to 2 thirds) in 4 cases and severe in only one case. The indication for surgery was based on a history of apneic attacks. In this study innominate arteriopexy has proven to be a reliable and low risk procedure which relieved reflex apnea and recurrent bronchopulmonary infections in all 6 children operated upon.
D001049:Apnea / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D016122:Brachiocephalic Trunk / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000601:surgery*; D004724:Endoscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D012306:Risk; D013536:Suture Techniques; D014135:Tracheal Stenosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*