A new technique for surgical correction of bronchial stenosis

Bronchial stenosis in children presents an even more challenging reconstructive procedure than does tracheal stenosis because of the smaller luminal diameter of the bronchus. Multiple techniques have been used, with varying success. Pericardium is readily available and can be used as a bronchial patch; however, it is floppy and tends to collapse, resulting in luminal narrowing and eventual scarring leading to restenosis. We devised a technique that uses glutaraldehyde-soaked pericardium with a rib cartilage stent to reconstruct the bronchus in two children who had main-stem bronchial stenosis.