Conservative management of posterior tracheal wall injury by endoscopic stent placement in children: Preliminary data of three cases

Abstract

The management of tracheal wall lacerations is debated. Current treatments are mainly derived by the experience on adults and include conservative or surgical treatments depending on the clinical condition of the patient. We report our preliminary data with removable tracheal stents in 3 children with tracheal tears and respiratory failure. If performed in specialized centers with appropriate endoscopic and clinical follow-up, airway stents can be considered a valid and safe conservative treatment for tracheal tears and an alternative to intubation or tracheostomy. Further studies are needed to compare different therapeutic options and better define the management and duration of stent treatment.

Keywords: Airway; Children; Endoscopy; Stent; Tracheal injury; Tracheal tear; Trauma.