THE NEAR COMPLETE TRACHEAL RING DEFORMITY

Congenital complete and near-complete tracheal rings are extremely rar e tracheal deformities. There are fewer than 100 cases of congenital c omplete tracheal rings, and only four cases of near-complete described in the literature, Long-segment occurrences of these anomalies are us ually incompatible with life. We describe the presentation of the long -segment near complete tracheal ring deformity and long-segment anteri or fusion of cartilage rings (cartilage sleeve deformity) in a living infant. The literature is reviewed, and the embryology, presentation, and management of these extremely rare anomalies are discussed. (C) 19 98 Published by Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.