Review of pediatric airway malacia and its management, with emphasis on stenting.
Malacia of the pediatric airway presents itself in a variety of clinical circumstances. Pediatric airway stenting is a more recent treatment modality. Complications may necessitate stent removal. This is usually performed bronchoscopically. We were forced to surgically remove a complicated airway stent. The Palmaz stent had been inserted for bronchomalacia presenting after interrupted aortic arch surgery in a 4-month old child with DiGeorge syndrome. This prompted us to review pediatric airway malacia, its management options and long-term outcomes, in an attempt to crystallize the current status of this relatively uncommon and difficult issue. The role of stents is analysed.
Pillai
Jain Bhaskara
JB
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne NE7 7DN, UK. jain_freeman@hotmail.com
Smith
Jonathan
J
Hasan
Asif
A
Spencer
David
D
D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D015607:Stents / Q000009:adverse effects; D019616:Thoracic Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods