New insights in the surgical treatment of long-segment congenital tracheal stenosis.

Abstract

Management of congenital tracheal stenosis (CTS) remains a clinical challenge. There is no doubt that slide tracheoplasty was a milestone in the surgical treatment of CTS that dramatically improved the outcomes of this rare airway malformation [1–3]. However, several concerns such as antenatal diagnosis, management of associated airway anomalies, case selection for conservative or palliative care, among others, still remain [4]. The article of Wen et al. [5] in this issue of the journal is focused on the relevance of diagnosing and treating tracheobronchial malacia at the same time CTS is addressed. This research work is remarkable in many senses but very especially because of the outstanding number of patients treated. The authors refer to 424 cases of CTS, 216 with long-segment stenosis, in an 11-year study period. These numbers are unique and no institution or tracheal team all over the world can show something similar. There is no doubt that the authors provide a large amount of clinical information that has a relevant educational value.