Management of A‐Frame Tracheal Deformity in Children With Endoscopic Resection Tracheoplasty

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Management of A‐Frame Tracheal Deformity in Children With Endoscopic Resection Tracheoplasty Via The Laryngoscope Objectives Tracheal A‐frame deformity is a known consequence of tracheostomy that may lead to obstruction after decannulation. The goal of this study is to demonstrate the feasibility and success of endoscopic carbon dioxide (CO2) laser‐assisted tracheoplasty of tracheal A‐frame deformity in children. Methods Retrospective case series of symptomatic children with tracheal A‐frame deformity with no other site of airway obstruction (2016–2018). All patients underwent CO2‐laser assisted endoscopic resection tracheoplasty. Results Eight patients (six male) were included with a median age of 15.4 (IQR 12.3–17.9) years. Patients had a median of two previous open airway surgeries (IQR 1–2.5) and all patients had a history of tracheostomy with successful decannulation. Tracheal A‐frame deformity presented as dyspnea on exertion for all patients (n = 8, 100%). Obstructive sleep apnea was confirmed for all patients who underwent polysomnography (4/4, 100%). Median interval from decannulation to development of symptoms was 8.7 years (IQR 5.8–9.3). All patients sized with an age‐appropriate endotracheal tube despite the deformity. Endoscopic A‐frame tracheoplasty was successful for 7/8 (87.5%) patients and was performed with overnight observation for these patients (8/8, 100%). Unilateral A‐frame tracheoplasty was performed successfully for five patients (62.5%), bilateral A‐frame tracheoplasty was performed successfully for two patients (25.0%), and one patient (12.5%) did not have complete resol ution of symptoms after bilateral A‐frame tracheoplasty due to multi‐level airway obstruction. Conclusions CO2 laser‐assisted tracheoplasty is an innovative endoscopic technique to relieve symptoms of airway obstruction for selected patients with tracheal A‐frame deformity although avoiding the morbidity and hospital stay duration associated with tracheal resection. Level of Evidence 4 Laryngoscope, 131:E719–E723, 2021 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.