Development of acquired tracheal stenosis in premature infants due to prolonged endotracheal ventilation: etiological considerations and surgical management

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the etiology and appropriate surgical treatment for acquired tracheal stenosis that developed in patients who had undergone prolonged endotracheal mechanical ventilation as premature neonates. During the period 2000-2004, four patients aged 1-16 years were referred for tracheal stenosis characterized by stridor, choking, and recurrent pulmonary infection. All patients had undergone endotracheal mechanical ventilation for 2-5 months for respiratory distress related to prematurity (gestational age 25-29 weeks, birth weight 648-1,222 g). During this period, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was predominantly cultured from the trachea. All patients exhibited a stenotic lesion encompassing 30-37% of the entire tracheal length on spiral CT. On palpation and inspection of the trachea during surgery, however, the stenotic segment appeared to encompass over 50% of the entire trachea. The carina was intact. Three patients underwent slide tracheoplasty with a tracheal resection and the other underwent resection and end-to-end anastomosis. Of the three patients treated by slide tracheoplasty, two are currently free of respiratory symptoms. However, one patient in this group required secondary resection of the remaining stenotic lesion with end-to-end anastomosis. This patient is currently asymptomatic. The remaining patient who underwent a resection and end-to-end anastomosis is doing well. The resected specimen showed fibrosis and degeneration of tracheal cartilage. A combination of prematurity, prolonged endotracheal mechanical ventilation and tracheal infection seem to be responsible for tracheal inflammation and stenosis. When considering surgical procedures for acquired tracheal stenosis, resection and end-to-end anastomosis are desirable. However, slide tracheoplasty with a partial tracheal resection is indicated for the treatment of stenosis involving a long tracheal segment.