Neonatal Airway Management and Outcomes Following Fetoscopic Endoluminal Tracheal Occlusion (FETO): A Single-Center Descriptive Analysis

Introduction

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia is a complex disease associated with pulmonary hypoplasia and hypertension. Fetoscopic endoluminal tracheal occlusion (FETO) has been shown to improve survival and pulmonary hypertension, however, is associated with tracheomegaly. We aim to describe neonatal tracheomegaly, airway management, and outcomes following FETO.

Methods

A single-center retrospective cohort review was performed for congenital diaphragmatic hernia patients who received FETO at our institution (4/12-6/22). Those with fetal demise, death at delivery, and those awaiting delivery were excluded. Demographics and perinatal outcomes were collected. Tracheal measurements were collected from initial postnatal chest x-ray by a single radiologist. Data were analyzed with descriptive analysis.

Results

34 patients underwent FETO with a median gestational age at a diagnosis of 23 wk [IQR 20-26] and at delivery of 36 wk [IQR 34-37]. Tracheomegaly was noted in 24 patients. The median maximum tracheal diameter was 9.9 mm [IQR 8.7-10.5]. All patients were intubated at birth. Ten (29%) eventually received a cuffed endotracheal tube (ETT), with 7/10 switched from an uncuffed ETT due to clinical concerns (i.e., large air leak) and 3/10 initially intubated with cuffed ETT. Nine (26%) patients underwent airway endoscopy, with two initially intubated with cuffed ETT compared to 7 with uncuffed ETT. A maximum of five endoscopies were performed on a single patient initially intubated with an uncuffed ETT, compared to 2 with cuffed ETT.

Conclusions

Given the need for multiple reintubations and use of airway endoscopies following FETO in patients with and without tracheomegaly, the placement of larger or cuffed ETT may be considered in initial resuscitation of FETO patients.