Application of slide tracheoplasty in children with congenital tracheal stenosis.

Over the past two decades, there have been encouraging achievements in the surgical treatment of children with congenital tracheal stenosis. Slide tracheoplasty has become the standard surgical procedure for the correction of long-segment congenital tracheal stenosis with abnormal bronchial morphology in many medical centres around the world. Identification of the shape and degree of tracheal stenosis before operation is helpful to develop a better surgical strategy. Flexible application of slide tracheoplasty can effectively correct different types of congenital tracheal stenosis. Cardiopulmonary bypass and intraoperative fiberoptic bronchoscopy are helpful to improve the efficiency of surgery. Postoperative multidisciplinary cooperative management can improve the prognosis of children. Biodegradable scaffolds, tissue-engineered trachea, and 3D printing technology are based on a completely different perspective from traditional medicine. The initial attempts in the biomedical field provide a new idea for the treatment of congenital tracheal stenosis. This article reviews the classification, past and current situation, advantages, surgical indications, surgical techniques, prognosis, related risk factors, and prospects of slide tracheoplasty in the treatment of congenital tracheal stenosis in children.