Results
The patient underwent an uncrossing procedure under circulatory arrest.
This ultimately resulted in dramatic relief of tension over the distal
trachea visible upon intraoperative inspection. Intraoperative
bronchoscopy revealed decrease in airway compression. Aortopexy was
entertained as an adjunctive procedure, but did not appear to change the
patency of her airway so was therefore not performed. We do not
routinely perform a posterior tracheopexy in this setting. Her
convalescence was notable for hypertension which was treated with oral
agents. Post-operative echocardiography revealed no aortic arch
obstruction and normal ventricular function. She experienced gradual
improvement in symptoms as an outpatient. At her 6 month follow-up visit
with her pulmonologist she was no longer breathless when speaking, her
breathing was no longer noisy, and her shortness of breath with exertion
had decreased. Follow-up spirometry was unchanged when compared to
pre-operative measures. We provided the patient with the 3D model post
operatively.