Surgical Correction of Airway Malacia and Vascular Compression Syndrome

Abstract

Cartilaginous ring, tracheobronchomalacia (TBM), and vascular compression syndrome (VCS) may cause airway obstruction. Many TBM and VCS are considered to be left undiagnosed, and thus, proper treatment may not be delivered to a significant proportion of patients. Pediatric surgeons often provide surgical treatment for congenital TBM. Conversely, coexisting congenital cardiovascular anomalies or previous cardiovascular procedures may cause VCS. Therefore, cardiovascular surgeons may be the best provider of surgical treatment in this context. A significant overlap of surgical techniques for TBM and VCS was observed although sufficient knowledge and experience to treat TBM is mandatory, even for cardiovascular surgeons, in treating VCS. Herein, we discuss surgical options for TBM and VCS to expand the surgical repertoire of cardiovascular surgeons.