[Esophageal and tracheal compression caused by vascular ring]

Eight infants with anomalous vessels of the aortic arch were submitted to surgical operation of the structures interfering with tracheal and esophageal function. Four patients had an aberrant right subclavian artery; three had a double aortic arch with a left ligamentum arteriosum. None had congenital heart disease. One had a tracheoesophageal fistula and a short esophagus. Esophagograms and aortograms were performed in all. Tracheal and esophageal compression was relieved in the four boys and the four girls. All are alive and in good condition.