The operation time averaged 373 minutes (SD±93; range, 180–635 minutes). The median hospital length of stay was 8 days (range, 4–92 days), and the median length of intensive care unit stay was 3 days (range, 0–91 days).

Surgical options include: Aortopexy. This safe and reliable procedure provides immediate and permanent relief of some types of severe tracheomalacia. This surgery opens up the trachea by moving up the aorta (the body’s main blood vessel) and attaching it to the back of the breastbone (sternum).

Congenital tracheomalacia often goes away as the infant grows and the walls of the trachea get stronger. However, for some, surgery may be required in order to safeguard the windpipe. Tracheomalacia may be misdiagnosed as asthma or noisy breathing known as stridor.

Treatment may only be needed if signs and symptoms are present, of there is complete or near-complete collapse of the airway. Depending on severity, treatment options may include continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), stenting, surgical correction (tracheobronchoplasty), and tracheostomy.

BRONCHOMALACIA AND TRACHEOMALACIA In infants, the cause is often a congenital defect in cartilaginous development which usually resolves spontaneously as the child reaches 6 months of age and older.

There are medical options that can help treat TBM, although they don’t cure it. Treatments may include: Medicines to open the airways as much as possible. These medicines are called bronchodilators.

Tracheomalacia can be mild enough to not need any treatment. It can also be moderate or severe (life-threatening). Most children with this condition will either outgrow it by the time they turn 2 or have symptoms that are not severe enough to need surgery.

In the long term, it can lead to progressive lung injury. Tracheomalacia has many different forms. Some children will only experience mild forms. For others, this condition can be life threatening and require immediate intervention to allow your child to breathe regularly again.

RP causes tracheobronchomalacia (TBM) by affecting the bronchial cartilage. TBM is a fatal condition characterized by excessive weakening of the walls of the trachea and bronchi.

Symptoms of bronchomalacia vary but may include chronic cough, prolongation of lower respiratory tract infections, exercise intolerance, respiratory distress, apnea, recurrent pneumonia and recurrent bronchitis.

The condition may improve without treatment. However, people with tracheomalacia must be monitored closely when they have respiratory infections. Adults with breathing problems may need continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Rarely, surgery is needed.

Bronchomalacia is a congenital problem that arises from diminished cartilage support of the smaller airways (below the trachea, or windpipe). The weakened cartilage usually collapses more easily during expiration and prolongs expiration, or prevents expectoration and causes trapping of secretions.

Treatment of Tracheobronchomalacia. Tracheal Resection and Reconstruction — In rare instances, this type of surgery can be used if the collapse is only in a small part of the windpipe. During a tracheal removal, also called a tracheal resection, the surgeon removes the injured section of the windpipe and rejoins the upper and lower portions.

Stents are used as both short- and long-term treatments for tracheobronchomalacia. Airway stenting can be a diagnostic tool as well. Patients whose symptoms improve after airway stenting are likely to benefit from surgical repair.

Some of these procedures were developed at Boston Children’s and are not yet available elsewhere. Surgical options include: Aortopexy. This safe and reliable procedure provides immediate and permanent relief of some types of severe tracheomalacia.

To find out if TBM surgery (tracheoplasty) can help improve your symptoms, we temporarily place a stent (plastic tube) inside the central airways. The stent sits inside your windpipe and its main branches and prevents these airways from collapsing when you breathe out.