Biodegradable SX-ELLA tracheal stent as a new minimally invasive solution for severe tracheomalacia in newborns

Introduction: The solution of severe tracheomalacia in early childhood means a great challenge even nowadays. The dyspnea often requires an immediate surgical investigation. Unfortunately, tracheal segmentresection and replacement of the tracheal wall, which methods are widely used in adults, are really hard to be performed at this age because of the patients' small size. The babies' tissues are so thin and mild, so the application of classical airway stents has a high risk of intrathoracal injury. After the encouraging animal studies the new, self-expanding biodegradable stents has been recently introduced as treatment of benign airway stenosis. Methods: We applied SX-Ella polydioxanone stent in two patients who required long term intubation because of severe tracheomalacia (Age: 1 year and 7 days). The breathing of both children improved after implantation. The stent was replaced in the 1-year-old-boy as the degradation of the stent started in the 5th postoperative week. In the baby no repeated stenting after dissolvation was necessary, the anatomical status improved and severe inspiratoric stridor disappeared. Conclusions: According to our initial experiences polydioxanone stents offer an alternative to metallic or silastic stents for collapse or external compression of the trachea in children. They may avoid the need for permanent stenting and allow subsequent growth of the airway.Der Erstautor gibt keinen Interessenkonflikt an