Use of Gianturco Z stents in the treatment of vascular compression of the tracheobronchial tree in childhood. A feasible solution when surgery fails.

Abstract

Severe tracheomalacia secondary to extrinsic vascular compression following a switch operation for transposition is reported. Two attempts at surgical correction failed but successful treatment has been achieved by implantation of two endobronchial Gianturco Z stents. Nonabsorbable stenting in children should be used only in severe obstruction as a last resource, but this technique proved to be feasible in a child weighing 6.2 kg.