Thoracoscopic Aortopexy for Severe Tracheomalacia

Aortopexy, typically performed via thoracotomy, is the procedure of choice for severe tracheomalacia leading to life-threatening episodes of apnea and bradycardia. We report a technique of thoracoscopic aortopexy, in which the aortic sutures were passed directly through the sternum and then tied extracorporeally. This procedure, which follows the surgical principles of an open aortopexy, was effective in a 1-year-old child. This minimally invasive approach may prove to be associated with decreased morbidity.