Long-term results after tracheal homograft reconstruction in children

Background: The treatment of long-segment tracheal stenosis in children is a biological and operative problem. The introduction of preserved allograft s established new possibilities for functional tracheal reconstruction. The development of tracheal dimensions in the course of growing is often discu ssed. Patients and methods: Since 1983 preserved allografts were used in 20 children with acquired tracheal stenosis. The children ranged in age from 1 to 13 years (average: 7.2 years) when the operation was performed. The ch ildren were examinated postoperatively at adequate intervals. Radiologic me asurements of the tracheal dimensions were performed in some of the patient s. Results: Today the treatment of all of these children is complete. Some of them are now adults. None of the children demonstrated breathing problem s at the time of the end of treatment or after a variable following-up peri od ranging from 18 months to 14 years. There was no endoscopic or radiograp hic evidence of constriction in the growing tracheas. Radiographic measurem ent of the reconstructed tracheas showed an age-adequate growth in length a nd a small growth in diameter. Conclusion: Functional tracheal reconstructi on for long-segment tracheal stenosis can be achieved by implantation of pr eserved allografts even in the early childhood.