Surgical Treatment of Double Aortic Arch and Associated Problems of Tracheomalacia, and Intracardiac Anomalies

• Published in: Japanese Journal of Cardiovascular Surgery Vol. 25; no. 6; pp. 371 - 376
• Main Authors: Shibata, Yoshiki, Abe, Tadaaki, Kuribayashi, Ryosei, Sekine, Satoshi, Aida, Hiroaki, Seki, Keiji
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: The Japanese Society for Cardiovascular Surgery 1996
• ISSN: 0285-1474; 1883-4108
• DOI: 10.4326/jjcvs.25.371

Problems with postoperative respiratory management of three patients after division of double aortic arch are described. Tracheomalacia was present in two of three cases with intracardiac anomalies of different types. Intracardiac anomalies of each patient were as follows: Patient 1, ventricular septal defect (VSD), atrial septal defect and pulmonary valve stenosis (PS); Patient 2, VSD, corrected transposition of the great arteries with PS; Patient 3, VSD with pulmonary hypertension (PH). In patient 1 and 2, no concomitant surgical intervention was performed for tracheomalacia. In these patients respiratory support had been continued for 41 and 60 days respectively. In patient 3, remaining VSD with PH was the cause of unexpected respiratory problem even after the successful division of the double aortic arch, and necessitated emergency VSD closure 49 days after the initial operation. The patient was extubated on postoperative day 12. Tracheomalacia is a life-threatening problem even after surgical division of the double aortic arch. Although prolonged respiratory support was needed, our two cases were successfully extubated without concomitant surgical intervention of tracheomalacia. Severe cases should be operated on simultaneously with the relief of vascular ring and tracheomalacia. Intracardiac anomalies are also the causes of prolonged intubation. Patient 3 should have been treated by pulmonary artery banding along with the division of aortic arch. In conclusion, precise evaluation of the existence and severity of the tracheomalacia and intracardiac anomalies is of utmost importance to overcome postoperative respiratory failure and for eventual satisfactory results.