Thoracoscopic Posterior Tracheopexy After Esophageal Atresia Repair: A Case Report

Esophageal atresia (EA) is frequently associated with tracheomalacia (TM). Recently, the use of posterior tracheopexy (PT) during EA repair for addressing TM has gained attention. Herein, we report a case of thoracoscopic PT in a 6-year-old boy with EA. Due to severe TM, tracheostomy was performed at 51 days of age. At 6 years of age, bronchoscopy still revealed significant collapse of the membranous portion of the trachea, extending from the subglottic area to the carina. Due to its capability to address a wider segment of the airway, thoracoscopic PT was selected for the treatment of TM. Four ports were placed in the right hemithorax, and the membranous portion of the trachea was sutured to the anterior longitudinal spinal ligament using four 3-0 nonabsorbable stitches. The patient was discharged uneventfully on postoperative Day 6. Postoperative computed tomography scan showed improved airway patency, and the patient exhibited resolution of exertional symptoms.