[Surgical decannulation of children with suprastomal collapse: review of our experience]

Suprastomal tracheal collapse (STC) may interfere with decannulation in tracheostomized patients.

To evaluate the role of tracheotomy technique in the ethiology of STC, and to analyze our results in the treatment of this complication.

We have studied the clinical charts of tracheostomized patients in our Unit, between 1990 and 2006, who showed significant STC impairing decannulation. The following data have been taken into account: sex, age, tracheotomy indication, surgical technique, endoscopic findings, type of surgical correction, complications, result, and follow-up.

Thirteen patients have showed STC, nine girls and four boys. Average age when tracheotomy was performed was 18 months, and extended ventilatory support was the most common indication (61,5%). Tracheotomy with lateral flaps was the most frequent technique in this group of patients with STC (8 cases), whereas only one patient in whom an anterior vertical tracheal incision was performed showed this complication. In every case bronchoscopy disclosed a suprastomal tracheal obstruction of at least 50% of the lumen. Mean age when surgical decannulation was performed was 36 months (range, 12-147). Two surgical techniques have been used in the treatment of STC: anterior cricoid suspension (12 patients) and reconstruction with autologous cartilage graft (one case). A satisfactory result has been achieved in 92% of cases (one patient showed persistent collapse and the same procedure was repeated). Mean follow-is 8,6 years (range, 2 months-12 years).

STC is a type of acquired tracheomalacia and presents in around 10% of tracheostomized patients. Bronchoscopy is essential for diagnosis and to rule out other causes of failure in decannulation. Tracheotomy technique seems to have an ethiologic role, and our preferred treatment, when sufficient cartilaginous support is present, is anterior cricoid suspension.