Slide Tracheoplasty Outcomes in Children with Tracheal Bronchus: A 23-Year Single-Center Study

Sunday, October 12, 2025

9:30 AM - 9:36 AM EDT

Location: 233-234

Disclosure(s):

Arya Dahal, PhD:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Michael J. Rutter, BHB, MBChB, FRACS:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Introduction: Slide tracheoplasty (STP) is the preferred treatment for long-segment tracheal stenosis (LSTS) and complete tracheal rings (CTR). Patients with tracheal (pig) bronchus can pose challenges to performing standard STP. This study describes our experiences and technical considerations in children with tracheal bronchus undergoing STP for CTR.

Methods: We performed a retrospective review of patients with tracheal bronchus who underwent STP at CCHMC from 2001-2024 (n=51). Operative success was defined as a symptom-free, non-tracheotomy dependent airway without the need for a significant airway reoperation.

Results: Fifty patients (98.0%) had CTR and 38 (74.5%) had LSTS. The majority (n=36, 70.6%) had a cardiovascular anomaly, most commonly a left pulmonary artery sling (n=18, 35.3%). Seven patients (13.7%) had prior tracheal reconstruction and 13 (25.5%) were ventilated pre-operatively. Median age at surgery was 572 days (IQR: 142-1142) and weight was 10.0 kg (IQR: 5.31-14.5). Median cardiopulmonary bypass time was 107 minutes (IQR: 80-154). Median post-operative ventilation time was 24 hours (IQR: 17.2-150) and ICU length of stay was 4 days (IQR: 2-11). Operative success was achieved in all but three patients (94.1% success), of which 2 (3.9%) are tracheotomy-dependent and 1 (1.96%) required airway reoperation. Lastly, of the three mortalities (5.9%), none were directly related to airway complications.

Conclusions: STP can achieve a non-tracheotomy dependent asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic airway in children with congenital tracheal stenosis with low morbidity and mortality, and outcomes do not appear to be inferior in the presence of a tracheal bronchus.

Co-Author(s)

Ermina J. Lee, BS

Medical Student
University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
Cincinnati, OH, United States

Disclosure information not submitted.

Presenting Author(s)

Arya Dahal, PhD

MSTP Student
University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
Cincinnati, OH, United States

Disclosure(s):
faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Co-Author(s)

Arya Dahal, PhD

MSTP Student
University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
Cincinnati, OH, United States

Disclosure(s):
faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.
BC

Blake Cox, n/a

University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, United States

Disclosure information not submitted.
LB

Leticia Breuer, n/a

University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, United States

Disclosure information not submitted.
DL

David Lehenbauer, MD

Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Ohio, United States

Disclosure information not submitted.
Alessandro de Alarcon, MD, MPH

Professor
Cincinnati Children's Hosp Med Ctr
Cincinnati, Ohio, United States

Disclosure information not submitted.

Senior Author(s)

Michael J. Rutter, BHB, MBChB, FRACS

Professor
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
Cincinnati, OH, United States

Disclosure(s):
faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.