USE OF GIANTURCO-Z STENTS IN THE TREATMENT OF VASCULAR COMPRESSION OFTHE TRACHEOBRONCHIAL TREE IN CHILDHOOD - A FEASIBLE SOLUTION WHEN SURGERY FAILS

Severe tracheomalacia secondary to extrinsic vascular compression foll owing a switch operation for transposition is reported. Two attempts a t surgical correction failed but successful treatment has been achieve d by implantation of two endobronchial Gianturco Z stents. Nonabsorbab le stenting in children should be used only in severe obstruction as a last resource, but this technique proved to be feasible in a child we ighing 6.2 kg.