Management of tracheal stenosis in children.

Objective: Review presentation and outcome in pediatric patients identified either because of complete tracheal ring malformation or those undergoing tracheal resection or partial cricoid resection with primary tracheal anastomosis. DESIGN: Retrospective chart analysis in an academic tertiary referral pediatric hospital in the United States. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-three children undergoing surgical repair of complete tracheal ring malformation from 1985 to 1995. Sixteen children with tracheal stenosis undergoing resection from 1984 to 1995. RESULTS: In patients with complete tracheal rings the mortality rate is 39% (9/23) with 47% (11/23) now extubated. The recent mortality rate is 25% (2/8) with 62% (5/8) now extubated. Sixteen patients underwent tracheal resection or cricotracheal resection. Twelve patients had tracheal resection with primary tracheal anastomosis. Eleven of these are now decannulated (92%). Four patients underwent partial cricoid resection with primary thyrotracheal anastomosis. All of these patients are decannulated without need for further surgery (100%).