Balloon dilatation following tracheal reconstruction for congenital microtrachea.

A male infant presented with failed extubation was diagnosed with congenital microtrachea. After primary combined surgery with excision of a left pulmonary artery sling and microtracheal resection with anastomosis incorporating the excised microtrachea as an autologous anterior tracheal graft he was treated with balloon dilatation of the re-stenosed segment on three occasions during the following year. During the 4 years follow-up, stridor has been minimal and intermittent. His feeding and growth have been normal. We have found balloon dilatation to be a useful adjunct to tracheal reconstructive surgery in this difficult condition.