Ricerc@Sapienza

OBJECTIVES: Surgery for vascular anomalies can occasionally fail to relieve symptoms, especially when severe tracheobronchial malacia persists. We studied outcomes in children who underwent airway stenting for severe post-surgical airway malacia and tested known clinical and surgical prognostic factors. METHODS: Among 257 children evaluated for tracheobronchial vascular compression, we reviewed the clinical charts for the 59 patients (23%) who underwent surgery. After surgery, children in whom severe malacia and respiratory symptoms persisted underwent airway stenting.

Background: Vena cava anomalies are a rare group of anatomical variations due to an incorrect development of the
superior or inferior vena cava during fetal life. They generally show no clinical relevance and the diagnosis is done due
to the association with congenital heart diseases in most of cases. However, preoperative identification of these anomalies
is mandatory for surgeons to proper surgical planning. If not recognized, lethal complications may occur, as already reported
in literature.