The Centre of Excellence for Pediatric Airway Surgery (CEPAS) at Kanchi Kamakoti CHILDS Trust Hospital has treated three complex pediatric airway cases since its inception last year.
Children with rare malformations of the airway, are treated regularly at the hospital. These anomalies are either present from birth or acquired later in the child’s life. They pose a challenge for specialists as airway reconstructions may be technically challenging, said a press release.
The CEPAS treated a 10-month-old infant with global developmental delay with severe tracheomalacia on tracheostomy needing Bipap with multiple episodes of cyanotic spells. The child was treated with Anterior and Posterior Tracheopexy.
In the second case, a four-month-old referred from Kolkata with severe breathing difficulty was diagnosed with long segment tracheal stenosis and LPA sling. The CEPAS did Slide tracheoplasty with LPA sling repair on bypass. In the third case, a four-year-old child was admitted with liver transplantation and suprastomal collapse on Tracheostomy. The team did external tracheopexy with PDS plate anchoring.
The Chennai Airway Team headed by Thirunavukkarasu at CEPAS is collaborating with the team from Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, headed by lead tracheal surgeon Nagarajan Muthaialu, to serve children with airway problems from nose to bronchi.
“We need to create awareness among medical professionals and people about reconstructive airway surgeries and possible removal of Tracheostomy tube,” said Dr. Thirunavukkarasu.
Published – January 30, 2025 01:11 am IST