Treatment of suprastomal tracheomalacia by anterior cricoid suspension

BACKGROUND: One of the reasons of failure to decannulate patients after airway surgery or long-term tracheostomy is suprastomal tracheomalacia. OBJECTIVES: Evaluate the results obtained in the treatment of suprastomal tracheomalacia by anterior cricoid suspension. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We present 8 patients with suprastomal tracheomalacia associated to long-term tracheostomy corrected by this technique. Prior to surgery, other causes of airway obstruction, as well as the presence of gastroesophageal reflux disease should be ruled out. Results 5 females and 3 males wer treated by this technique. Mean age at surgery was 4,1 +/-0,97 years (range, 1,5-8,8 years). anteroposterior suprastomal collapse occluding 75% of the trachea was observed in 5 cases, and 75-90% in other three. All the patients were extubated successfully, although in one case stridor recurred because of residual suprastomal malacia that required a new surgical procedure. After a follow-up of 38,7+/-7,39 months (range, 1 month-4,6 years), the patients are decannulated and going well. Conclusions It is an safe surgical technique, easily reproducible and with low costs.