Tratamiento de la malacia supraestomal mediante suspensión cricoidea anterior

Abstract

Background One of the reasons of failure to decannulate patients after airway surgery or long-term tracheostomy is suprastomal tracheomalacia. Objetives Evaluate the results obtained in the treatment of suprastomal tracheomalacia by anterior cricoid suspension. Material an methods We present 8 patients with suprastomal tracheomalacia associated tyo long-term tracheostomy corrected by this technique. Prior to surgery, other causes of airway obstruction, as well as the presence of gastroesophageal reflux disease should be ruled out. Results 5 females and 3 males wer treated by this technique. Mean age at surgery was 4,1 ± 0,97 years (range, 1,5–8,8 years). anteroposterior suprastomal colapse occluding 75% of the trachea was observed in 5 cases, and 75–90% in other three. All the patients were extubated successfully, although in one case stridor recurred because of residual suprastomal malacia that required a new surgical procedure. After a follow-up of 38,7 ± 7,39 months (range, 1 month-4,6 years), the patients are decannulated and going well. Conclusions It is an safe surgical technique, easily reproductible and wtih low costs.