Tracheobronchial stenting for airway malacia

Tracheobronchomalacia is a rare but clinically troublesome condition in paediatrics. The softening of the major airways – which can include some or all of the tracheobronchial tree can lead to symptoms ranging from the minor (harsh barking cough, recurrent chest infections) to severe respiratory difficulties including prolonged ventilator support and ‘near death attacks’. The causes are broadly divided into int rinsic softening of the airway wall which is considered a primary defect (e.g. syndromes; post tracheo-oesophageal fistula repair; extreme prematurity) or secondary malacia due to external compression from vascular structures or cardiac components.

Source: Paediatric Respiratory Reviews - October 13, 2017 Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Colin Wallis, Clare A. McLaren Source Type: research