APLASIA OF THE TRACHEA

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Abstract
A case of tracheal aplasia is described, and the literature concerning this rare anomaly is reviewed. The lesion has so far been uniformly fatal. Infants with this condition have severe early respiratory distress and may present a difficult problem in laryngeal intubation. In five of the seven cases in which the sex was noted, the infant was male. Only one of the infants has had significant associated anomalies. The constant anatomic feature is the absence of the trachea from the cricoid to or slightly above the level of the main stem bronchi. At this point a fistula with the esophagus is usually present. The larynx may or may not be defective. The lesion appears to be an aplasia rather than an atresia. The immediate administration of nasogastric oxygen is indicated when the anomaly is suspected. This may allow sufficient time for corrective surgery to be attempted.

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