The following is a summary of the “Tracheobronchoplasty yields long-term anatomy, function, and quality of life improvement for patients with severe excessive central airway collapse,” published in the February 2023 issue of Thoracic and cardiovascular surgery by Buitrago, et al.

This research looks at the anatomic and clinical results of tracheobronchoplasty in severe excessive central airway collapse cases. Patients were treated with tracheobronchoplasty after severe central airway collapse (2002-2016). Before and after tracheobronchoplasty, the cross-sectional area of the main airways was measured using dynamic airway computed tomography. Collapse during expiration was determined by taking the difference between the cross-sectional areas of the lungs during inspiration and expiration and dividing that number by 100. 

The primary outcome was a reduction in expiratory collapse as measured by percentage at 1, 2, and 5 years after tracheobronchial stenting. The secondary outcomes included the mean response profile of the 6-minute walk test, the Cough-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire, the Karnofsky Performance Status score, and the St. George Respiratory Questionnaire. Analysis of variance with repeated measures was used for the statistical tests. In addition, radiologically complete follow-up was obtained for 61 patients 1-5 years after tracheobronchoplasty. In the central airways, the percentage of collapsibility during expiration decreased linearly after tracheobronchoplasty. 

After tracheobronchoplasty, the anatomic repair lasted for at least 5 years, with a reduction in expiratory airway collapse of up to 40% in the first year and 30% in the second. Both the Cough-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (78 vs. 47, P< .001) and the St George Respiratory Questionnaire (74.7% vs. 41.8%, P< .001) showed statistically significant improvement by year 5. The outcomes of the 6-minute walk test (1,079 vs 1,268 ft, P< .001) and the Karnofsky score (57 vs 82, P< .001) were also comparable. In carefully selected patients with severe excessive central airway collapse, tracheobronchoplasty has long-lasting effects on airway anatomy, functional status, and quality of life.

Source: sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022522322006389