Thoracoscopic Aortopexy for Treatment of Tracheomalacia in Infants and Children

Background/Purpose: Aortopexy is an established treatment method for severe tracheomalacia. It can be performed by thoracotomy or thoracoscopically. The purpose of this study is to review our experience with thoracoscopic aortopexy. Methods: Thoracoscopic aortopexy was performed for treatment of tracheomalacia in five patients. A left-sided approach with three ports was used. The aorta was sutured to the sternum with a series of transversely oriented simple interrupted Prolene sutures. Knots were tied subcutaneously. Pre- and postprocedure bronchoscopy was used to verify improvement in tracheal patency. The study protocol was approved by the Institutional Review Board. A retrospective chart review was performed and indications, perioperative course, and, where available, long-term results were noted. Results: We treated four girls and one boy. Ages were between 6 weeks and 2 years. Weights were between 3.2 and 10 kg. Resolution of symptoms was achieved in all patients. There was no morbidity or mortality associated with the procedure. Length of hospital stay after aortopexy ranged between 4 and 59 days. Follow-up ranged between 34 and 5 months. Conclusions: Thoracoscopic aortopexy is an effective treatment for severe tracheomalacia not controlled by conservative measures. It can be safely performed even in small infants as long as equipment and skill for pediatric thoracoscopy are available. The authors believe that thoracoscopic exposure offers advantages over open technique and is cosmetically more pleasing to patients and their families. It may result in less pulmonary complications, shorter hospital stay, and less narcotic requirement compared to open thoracotomy.