Tracheobronchial anomalies in children with congenital cardiac disease.
OBJECTIVE
To perform preoperative airway evaluations, using radiographic analysis, to review the tracheal anatomy in children with congenital cardiac disease.


METHODS
Prospective.


METHODS
A university children's hospital.


METHODS
One hundred patients.


RESULTS
One magnified airway film (high kilovoltage filtered) was performed preoperatively on 100 consecutive children presenting for repair of congenital cardiac disease. Events at intubation, with respect to endotracheal tube size (internal diameter in millimeters) and difficulties with placement of the tube, were recorded. Postoperative morbidity, specifically related to underlying airway anomaly, was documented. Eleven children had positive radiographic findings after review of magnified airway films. Six of 11 patients had evidence of tracheobronchial pathology, and five patients had no tracheal pathology. Difficulties with intubation were noted in two children. No perioperative morbidity was noted in any patient.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of preoperative magnified airway films for tracheal evaluations in children with cardiac disease should be considered.
Kazim
R
R
Department of Anesthesiology, Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA.
Berdon
W E
WE
Montoya
C H
CH
Quaegebeur
J M
JM
Sun
L S
LS
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014132:Trachea / Q000002:abnormalities*