Thoracoscopic aortopexy to treat severe tracheomalacia in children. Cases report.

Objective: To present our experience in the treatment of the severe tracheomalacia by thoracoscopic approach, as well as its diagnostic methodology, surgical technique, post-operatory evolution and complications.

Clinical Cases: From 2016 to 2017, three patients, 3, 9 and 12 months old, were treated. They showed multiple near sudden death events and had an absolute dependence to assisted ventilation. Pre-operatory bronchoscopy evinced tracheal severe malacia. Thoracic angiotomography discarded other extrinsic tracheal compression causes. A left thoracoscopic aortopexy was practiced with a bronchoscopical trans-operatory control; with improvement in tracheal space. Just one patient is still awaiting cannula removal, without symptomatology recurrence in a 3-20 months follow up.

Conclusions: The thoracoscopic aortopexy is a safe and effective technique to treat primary and severe tracheomalacia in children.