Slide tracheoplasty in the management of congenital tracheal stenosis

Long-segment congenital tracheal stenosis (LSCTS) is a rare condition. Originally, it was felt to be uniformly fatal; however, advances in technique have made surgical repair and survival possible. Our objective is to report results and technique of slide tracheoplasty for the treatment of LSCTS in the context of the overall experience at the Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago. We reviewed 37 cases of infants and children with LSCTS. Thirty of the 37 infants underwent surgical intervention. Slide tracheoplasty resulted in survival in 1 of 2 infants, and pericardial patch tracheoplasty resulted in survival in 21 of 28 (75%). Of the 30 patients who had surgical repair, 7 (23%) have died, and 1 has been lost to follow-up (3%). Follow-up has ranged from 6 months to 13 years. Slide tracheoplasty is a satisfactory adjunct to existing techniques. With early diagnosis and appropriate management of LSCTS, survival is possible in a majority of patients.