Versatility of Slide Tracheoplasty

Research By: Alessandro de Alarcon, MD, MPH

Post Date: April 3, 2024 | Publish Date: April 3, 2024

Otolaryngology | Top Scientific Achievement

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When it comes to advanced surgical techniques to manage airway stenosis, an expert at Cincinnati Children’s is writing the book.

Alessandro de Alarcón, MD, MPH, Director of the Center for Pediatric Voice Disorders at Cincinnati Children’s, recently authored a textbook chapter describing how to perform slide tracheoplasty along with multiple applications of the procedure.

“Slide tracheoplasty is a versatile operation that is currently the third arm of management for airway problems,” de Alarcón writes.

Originally developed in 1989 to manage complete tracheal rings, but soon abandoned for that condition, the airway team at Cincinnati Children’s rekindled interest in the technique in the early 2000s.

“Slide tracheoplasty can be used to manage multiple pathologies, including tracheal stenosis, A-frame deformity, subglottic stenosis, multilevel airway stenosis, and tracheoesophageal fistula,” de Alarcón writes. “Surgical success rates range from 80% to 90%.”

The chapter shows several illustrations as part of a step-by-step description of the procedure. It also lists the equipment needed to perform the operation.

Depending on the location of the lesion, one significant advantage of slide tracheoplasty is that it can be performed without the need for cardiopulmonary bypass. However, Alarcón notes that endoscopic management, including balloon dilation, granulation tissue removal, and stent placement, may be needed postoperatively.

Contraindications for slide tracheoplasty include prior low tracheal surgery and previous repairs for tracheoesophageal fistula, esophageal atresia, and laryngotracheal esophageal cleft.

“Experience in performing this procedure is a key element of surgical success,” de Alarcón writes.