Results
The patient underwent an uncrossing procedure under circulatory arrest. This ultimately resulted in dramatic relief of tension over the distal trachea visible upon intraoperative inspection. Intraoperative bronchoscopy revealed decrease in airway compression. Aortopexy was entertained as an adjunctive procedure, but did not appear to change the patency of her airway so was therefore not performed. We do not routinely perform a posterior tracheopexy in this setting. Her convalescence was notable for hypertension which was treated with oral agents. Post-operative echocardiography revealed no aortic arch obstruction and normal ventricular function. She experienced gradual improvement in symptoms as an outpatient. At her 6 month follow-up visit with her pulmonologist she was no longer breathless when speaking, her breathing was no longer noisy, and her shortness of breath with exertion had decreased. Follow-up spirometry was unchanged when compared to pre-operative measures. We provided the patient with the 3D model post operatively.