Tracheobronchoplasty

Abstract

Tracheobronchoplasty (TBP) is used to stabilize the central airways in cases of severe diffuse tracheobronchomalacia (TBM). With this technique, dynamic collapse of the airways is prevented by splinting the posterior membrane of the thoracic trachea and bilateral main bronchi with a prosthetic mesh. Following TBP in carefully selected patients, amelioration of dyspnea, chronic cough, secretion retention, and recurrent infections may be seen. A short-term trial of airway stabilization with a silicone stent in patients with TBM facilitates identification of candidates for surgical correction.