Polyflex stenting of tracheomalacia after surgery for congenital tracheal stenosis.
Polyflex self-expanding stents (Rüsch, Germany) were used in three young children who had presented with life-threatening long-segment tracheal stenosis with bronchial stenosis in two cases. Two children had slide tracheoplasties and subsequently aortic homografts and another tracheal resection and autotracheoplasty. However, in all cases persistent lower tracheal malacia necessitated stenting. Complications of granuloma, stent migration or dislodgement occurred in all cases. A fatal tracheo-aortic fistula occurred in one child. Granuloma in one was treated successfully with steroids. One child survives.
Tibballs
James
J
Department of Intensive Care, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria 3052, Australia. james.tibballs@rch.org.au
Fasulakis
Stephen
S
Robertson
Colin F
CF
Berkowitz
Robert G
RG
Massie
John
J
Brizard
Christian
C
Rose
Elizabeth
E
Bekhit
Elhamy
E
Eyres
Robert
R
Ragg
Philip
P
D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000637:transplantation; D001982:Bronchial Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D002357:Cartilage Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000601:surgery*; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D015607:Stents; D014132:Trachea / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000601:surgery; D014135:Tracheal Stenosis / Q000150:complications / Q000151:congenital / Q000601:surgery*; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous