2016 Volume 30 Issue 4 Pages 482-487
A 76-year-old male suddenly suffered cardiopulmonary arrest. He was diagnosed with tracheobronchial malacia in the postresuscitation period. He was treated with stabilization of the membranous portion using polypropylene mesh. Now, he is leading a normal life at two years after treatment. A 65-year-old male had dyspnea on effort and was diagnosed with tracheobronchial malacia. The symptom was immediately resolved after airway stent placement in the trachea. However, restenosis caused by granulation tissue was observed 6 months after the airway stent placement. He was treated with removal of the airway stent and stabilization of the membranous portion using polypropylene mesh. Inflammation around the airway stent might induce severe airway edema, preventing recovery of the respiratory condition after treatment. He was discharged home 56 days after treatment, and is now leading a normal life at 14 months after treatment. Tracheobronchial malacia was observed in 4.5 to 8.2% of patients who underwent bronchoscopic examination. Surgical treatments are indicated for symptomatic tracheobronchial malacia. Stabilization of the membranous portion using polypropylene mesh may be an acceptable treatment for tracheobronchial malacia.
