Article Text
Research Article
Role of aortopexy in the management of primary tracheomalacia and tracheobronchomalacia.
Abstract
Between 1986 and 1988 aortopexy was carried out on 12 patients with primary tracheomalacia and five with tracheobronchomalacia; their median age was 5 months (1 month-7 years). All patients had stridor, 14 had had cyanotic and apnoeic episodes, and 10 had had 'death' attacks. Eight patients (47%) had associated gastro-oesophageal reflux. Six patients (35%) were helped by aortopexy alone, and a further five (29%) improved with a combination of aortopexy and antireflux treatment. Four patients required tracheostomy, one of whom died. Aortopexy failed if gastro-oesophageal reflux was present. We recommend aggressive treatment of reflux combined with aortopexy in patients with primary tracheomalacia and tracheobronchomalacia.