A novel approach to tracheostomal collapse: the use of an endoluminal Palmaz stent

There are a number of surgical treatments for tracheostomal collapse of the pediatric airway. The techniques include tracheoplasty with costal cartila ge graft, the placement of a tracheostomy tube and partial tracheal resecti on and primary tracheal anastomosis to name a few. Since each child may pos sess unique medical and social factors in additional to the tracheal pathol ogy, the surgical approach must be individualized. A case history of a 1-ye ar-old Vietnamese child with a tracheostomal collapse is presented. In this case, an endoluminal Palmaz stent was placed endoscopically to support the collapsed tracheal segment for 3 months. After 3 months, the stent was rem oved, and the child has done well without any airway intervention for 2 yea rs. The indications for this novel approach, the technique of insertion and removal of the stent are the focus of this paper. (C) 1998 Elsevier Scienc e Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.