Quality of Life and its Clinical Determinants After Slide Tracheoplasty for Congenital Tracheal Stenosis

Objective

Long-term outcomes following slide tracheoplasty in patients with congenital tracheal stenosis (CTS) have rarely been reported. Data on postoperative quality of life (QOL) and its contributing factors are limited. This study aimed to assess the long-term QOL in individuals who underwent slide tracheoplasty for CTS and to identify associated influencing factors.

Methods

The medical questionnaires, PedsQL4.0 and VHI-30, from 62 patients who underwent slide tracheoplasty for CTS at our institution from January 1998 to November 2021 were reviewed.

Results

Forty-six patients had no tracheostomy, and 35 reported no respiratory symptoms. Fourteen patients showed no abnormalities across all evaluated items. Total PedsQL 4.0 scores did not differ significantly from those of healthy children. When comparing the total PedsQL 4.0 scores of patients and parents across different background factors, variables significantly associated with differences included respiratory symptoms, growth retardation, and VHI-30 scores below 8 points. Multiple regression analysis showed that VHI-30 scores below 8 points were the most significant factor influencing both patient and parent scores. A comparison of the background factors revealed significant differences in VHI-30 for stenosis length, postoperative extubation, current tracheostomy, and respiratory symptoms. Logistic regression analysis showed that respiratory symptoms were the most important factor.

Conclusion

QOL in patients with CTS following slide tracheoplasty was generally favorable across all age groups. However, elevated VHI-30 scores were associated with a reduction in QOL. Patients with respiratory symptoms tended to have higher VHI-30 scores and voice-related impairment. Monitoring and addressing respiratory and voice symptoms may improve QOL.