Pierścień naczyniowy
Rokowania, prognozy i postęp choroby

Pierścienie naczyniowe stanowią wrodzone anomalie układu naczyniowego, prowadzące do ucisku tchawicy i przełyku, manifestujące się objawami oddechowymi i pokarmowymi. Diagnostyka opiera się na badaniach obrazowych (TK, MRI) oraz endoskopii. Leczenie operacyjne jest standardem, z wysoką skutecznością – 94,7% dzieci osiąga całkowitą poprawę objawową, a długoterminowa przeżywalność po 20 latach wynosi około 98%. Mediana czasu ekstubacji wynosi 4 godziny, a pobytu szpitalnego 5 dni. Wczesna śmiertelność waha się od 1,5% do 8%, zależnie od anatomicznych cech pierścienia i współistniejących wad serca. U niemowląt bez dodatkowych wad operacja praktycznie nie wiąże się ze śmiertelnością.

Objawy i rozpoznanie pierścienia naczyniowego

Pierścienie naczyniowe to grupa wad wrodzonych układu naczyniowego, charakteryzująca się nieprawidłowym przebiegiem naczyń otaczających tchawicę i przełyk, powodując ich ucisk. Większość pacjentów jest objawowa w momencie rozpoznania choroby. 1 Objawy są związane głównie z uciskiem na drogi oddechowe i przełyk, co prowadzi do objawów oddechowych i/lub pokarmowych. Diagnostyka obejmuje badania obrazowe, takie jak tomografia komputerowa, rezonans magnetyczny oraz badania endoskopowe.

Wyniki leczenia chirurgicznego pierścienia naczyniowego

Pacjenci z pierścieniem naczyniowym wymagają zazwyczaj leczenia operacyjnego, które ma na celu uwolnienie ucisku na tchawicę i przełyk. Według dostępnych danych, leczenie chirurgiczne pierścieni naczyniowych zapewnia dobrą poprawę objawową przy niskim ryzyku powikłań. 1 W jednym z badań obejmującym dużą grupę pacjentów, 94,7% operowanych dzieci osiągnęło całkowitą poprawę objawową w okresie obserwacji po leczeniu operacyjnym. 1

Długoterminowe wyniki leczenia operacyjnego są zazwyczaj dobre. W badaniu Franois i współpracowników, w którym analizowano wczesne i późne rezultaty leczenia u 62 pacjentów (mediana wieku 1 rok), 63% pacjentów było wolnych od objawów po miesiącu od operacji, a po 6 miesiącach odsetek ten wzrósł do 82%. 2 Mediana czasu od ekstubacji wynosiła 4 godziny, a mediana pobytu w szpitalu – 5 dni. Śmiertelność wczesna wyniosła 8% i była związana z rozpoznaniem anatomicznym, współistniejącymi anomaliami oraz koniecznością intubacji przedoperacyjnej. 2

Przeżywalność długoterminowa

Przeżywalność długoterminowa pacjentów po korekcji pierścienia naczyniowego jest wysoka. Około 95% pacjentów poddanych korekcji chirurgicznej przeżywa długi okres i większość z nich szybko uzyskuje ustąpienie objawów. 3 U niemowląt bez wad wewnątrzsercowych lub pozasercowych, operacja pierścienia naczyniowego praktycznie nie wiąże się ze śmiertelnością. 3

Naimo i współpracownicy badali długoterminowe wyniki rozdzielenia pierścienia naczyniowego u 132 dzieci na przestrzeni 36 lat. Mediana czasu obserwacji wynosiła 11,4 lat (zakres od 44 dni do 36 lat). Śmiertelność wewnątrzszpitalna wyniosła 1,5% (2/132), a późne zgony nie występowały. Ogólna przeżywalność wynosiła 98,3±1,2% po 20 latach. 4

Utrzymujące się objawy

Pomimo dobrych wyników ogólnych, część pacjentów nadal doświadcza objawów po operacji pierścienia naczyniowego. W jednym z badań wykazano, że 24% pacjentów nie było wolnych od objawów w czasie obserwacji po operacji. 5 W innym badaniu stwierdzono, że po 5 latach obserwacji 23% pacjentów miało utrzymujące się objawy. 5 Niemniej jednak, ogólnie prawie 90% pacjentów było wolnych od objawów oddechowych związanych z pierścieniem naczyniowym w późnej obserwacji. 5

U pacjentów z mniej optymalnymi długoterminowymi wynikami znajdują się osoby z nieprawidłową lewą tętnicą płucną (z lub bez kompletnych pierścieni tchawicznych) oraz pacjenci z ciężkimi współistniejącymi wrodzonymi wadami serca. 6 W przypadku pacjentów z poważnie zniekształconą tchawicą lub tracheomalacją, w przyszłości mogą być konieczne dodatkowe zabiegi rekonstrukcyjne. 6

Reoperacje

W serii przypadków opisanej przez Backera i współpracowników, reoperacja okazała się konieczna u 26 z 300 pacjentów, którzy przeszli interwencję chirurgiczną z powodu pierścienia naczyniowego. Cztery główne wskazania do reoperacji to uchyłek Kommerella (18 pacjentów), aorta okrężna (2 pacjentów), pozostałe blizny (2 pacjentów) oraz tracheobronchomalacja wymagająca aortopeksji (4 pacjentów). 7

W badaniu Naimo i współpracowników, po leczeniu chirurgicznym u trzech pacjentów wystąpił utrzymujący się ucisk tchawicy, a u 16 stwierdzono tracheomalację. Wskaźnik wolności od reoperacji wynosił 88,6±4,0%. Żaden z pacjentów nie wymagał operacji tchawicy w okresie obserwacji. 8

Funkcja płuc po operacji

U pewnej liczby pacjentów nadal występują zaburzenia czynności płuc wiele lat po operacji. Kilka badań donosi, że wyniki badań czynnościowych płuc wykazują pewien stopień niedrożności dróg oddechowych u nawet 50% pacjentów 7-8 lat po operacji. 9 Ponadto, duża liczba pacjentów wydaje się mieć wyraźną reaktywność oskrzeli na histaminę. 9

Powikłania pooperacyjne

Ogólnie śmiertelność wewnątrzszpitalna po operacji pierścienia naczyniowego jest niska i wynosi około 1,5-8%, w zależności od badania. 1011 Chorobowość wewnątrzszpitalna jest akceptowalna (18%) i składa się głównie z wysięków opłucnowych i niedodmy płucnej. 12

Pacjenci nieoperowani z pierścieniem naczyniowym

W przypadku pacjentów nieoperowanych, dane są ograniczone. W jednym z badań, spośród trzech nieoperowanych pacjentów, jeden pozostał objawowy (nawracające infekcje dróg oddechowych), podczas gdy dwóch pacjentów było wolnych od objawów. 13 Operacja u pacjentów bezobjawowych skutkowała niską chorobowością, co potwierdza obecne zalecenia wczesnej naprawy chirurgicznej. 14

Wnioski dotyczące rokowania pierścienia naczyniowego

Leczenie chirurgiczne pierścienia naczyniowego zapewnia dobrą ulgę objawową przy niskim ryzyku powikłań, podczas gdy reoperacje z powodu objawów ze strony układu oddechowego i pokarmowego są rzadkie. 15 Większość pacjentów (około 90-95%) uzyskuje całkowitą poprawę objawową po operacji. 1516

Długoterminowa przeżywalność jest bardzo dobra, wynosi około 98% po 20 latach. 17 U części pacjentów (około 23-24%) mogą utrzymywać się objawy w długoterminowej obserwacji, a niektórzy mogą wymagać reoperacji. 1819 Pacjenci z pierścieniem naczyniowym wymagają długoterminowej obserwacji ze względu na możliwość występowania nieprawidłowości w badaniach czynnościowych płuc oraz zwiększonej reaktywności oskrzeli. 20

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  1. 10.04.2026
  2. www.leksykon.com.pl

Materiały źródłowe

  • #1 Pediatric vascular ring outcomes for surgically repaired vs. unoperated children: a single-center experience – Ajdaa – Journal of Thoracic Disease
    https://jtd.amegroups.org/article/view/86251/html
    Most patients were symptomatic at the time of diagnosis. […] Despite surgery, 24% of patients were not symptom-free at follow-up. […] Finally, surgery in asymptomatic patients resulted in low morbidity supporting the current recommendation of early surgical repair. […] This late-outcome study on vascular ring repairs demonstrated that 90% of patients were free of ring-related symptoms at follow-up. […] Overall in-hospital morbidity was acceptable (18%) and consisted mostly in pleural effusions and pulmonary atelectasis. […] At follow-up, among the three unoperated patients, one patient remained symptomatic (recurrent respiratory tract infection) whereas two patients were free of symptoms. […] Overall, at 5-year follow-up, 23% of our patients had persisting symptoms. […] Nearly 90% of our patients were free from vascular ring-related respiratory symptoms at late follow-up.
  • #1 Outcomes of Patients Undergoing Surgery for Complete Vascular Rings – PubMed
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39322321/
    Few studies describe outcomes after complete vascular ring surgery in a comprehensive manner. […] This study sought to describe the clinical presentation, diagnostic work-up, operative approach, and outcomes in children undergoing surgery for complete vascular rings. […] The primary outcome of interest was complete (as distinct from partial) symptom resolution at latest clinic follow-up. […] At latest clinic follow-up, 429 patients (94.7%) reported complete symptom resolution. […] Surgery for complete vascular rings provides good symptomatic relief with low risk of complications, whereas reoperations for aerodigestive symptoms are infrequent.
  • #2 Vascular Rings: Practice Essentials, Anatomy, Pathophysiology
    https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/426233-overview
    Franois et al assessed early and late outcomes (mean follow-up, 7.8 5.8 y) in 62 patients (median age, 1 y) who underwent surgical treatment of a vascular ring (most commonly a double aortic arch [53%]). Median extubation time was 4 hours, and median hospital stay was 5 days. Early mortality was 8% and was associated with the anatomic diagnosis, concomitant anomalies, and the need for preoperative intubation. At 1 month, 63% of patients were free of residual symptoms; at 6 months, 82% were. At final follow-up, the rate of freedom from inhalation therapy was 82%.
  • #3 Vascular Rings: Practice Essentials, Anatomy, Pathophysiology
    https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/426233-overview
    About 95% of patients who undergo surgical correction of a vascular ring survive for long periods, and most of these are soon relieved of their symptoms. In those infants with no intracardiac or extracardiac defects, surgery for vascular rings carries essentially no mortality. […] Among those with less optimal long-term results are patients with an anomalous left pulmonary artery with and without complete tracheal rings and those with severe associated congenital cardiac defects. In those patients with a severely deformed trachea or tracheomalacia, additional reconstruction procedures may be required in the future. […] In a series reported by Backer et al, reoperation proved necessary for 26 of 300 patients who had undergone surgical intervention for vascular rings. The four primary indications for reoperation were Kommerell diverticulum (18 patients), circumflex aorta (2 patients), residual scarring (2 patients), and tracheobronchomalacia necessitating aortopexy (4 patients).
  • #4 Vascular Rings: Practice Essentials, Anatomy, Pathophysiology
    https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/426233-overview
    A number of patients continue to show evidence of some pulmonary function abnormalities years after surgery. Several studies report that measured pulmonary function studies show some degree of airway obstruction in as many as 50% of patients 7-8 years postoperatively. Also, a large number of patients appear to have a pronounced bronchial responsiveness to histamine. […] Naimo et al reported long-term outcomes of complete vascular ring division in 132 children from a 36-year experience at a single institution (median follow-up, 11.4 y; range, 44 d to 36 y). In-hospital mortality was 1.5% (2/132), and no late deaths occurred. Overall survival was 98.3 1.2% at 20 years. After surgical treatment, three patients experienced persistent tracheal compression, and 16 had tracheomalacia. The freedom-from-reoperation rate was 88.6 4.0%. None of the patients required tracheal surgery during the follow-up period.
  • #5 Pediatric vascular ring outcomes for surgically repaired vs. unoperated children: a single-center experience – Ajdaa – Journal of Thoracic Disease
    https://jtd.amegroups.org/article/view/86251/html
    Most patients were symptomatic at the time of diagnosis. […] Despite surgery, 24% of patients were not symptom-free at follow-up. […] Finally, surgery in asymptomatic patients resulted in low morbidity supporting the current recommendation of early surgical repair. […] This late-outcome study on vascular ring repairs demonstrated that 90% of patients were free of ring-related symptoms at follow-up. […] Overall in-hospital morbidity was acceptable (18%) and consisted mostly in pleural effusions and pulmonary atelectasis. […] At follow-up, among the three unoperated patients, one patient remained symptomatic (recurrent respiratory tract infection) whereas two patients were free of symptoms. […] Overall, at 5-year follow-up, 23% of our patients had persisting symptoms. […] Nearly 90% of our patients were free from vascular ring-related respiratory symptoms at late follow-up.
  • #6 Vascular Rings: Practice Essentials, Anatomy, Pathophysiology
    https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/426233-overview
    About 95% of patients who undergo surgical correction of a vascular ring survive for long periods, and most of these are soon relieved of their symptoms. In those infants with no intracardiac or extracardiac defects, surgery for vascular rings carries essentially no mortality. […] Among those with less optimal long-term results are patients with an anomalous left pulmonary artery with and without complete tracheal rings and those with severe associated congenital cardiac defects. In those patients with a severely deformed trachea or tracheomalacia, additional reconstruction procedures may be required in the future. […] In a series reported by Backer et al, reoperation proved necessary for 26 of 300 patients who had undergone surgical intervention for vascular rings. The four primary indications for reoperation were Kommerell diverticulum (18 patients), circumflex aorta (2 patients), residual scarring (2 patients), and tracheobronchomalacia necessitating aortopexy (4 patients).
  • #7 Vascular Rings: Practice Essentials, Anatomy, Pathophysiology
    https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/426233-overview
    About 95% of patients who undergo surgical correction of a vascular ring survive for long periods, and most of these are soon relieved of their symptoms. In those infants with no intracardiac or extracardiac defects, surgery for vascular rings carries essentially no mortality. […] Among those with less optimal long-term results are patients with an anomalous left pulmonary artery with and without complete tracheal rings and those with severe associated congenital cardiac defects. In those patients with a severely deformed trachea or tracheomalacia, additional reconstruction procedures may be required in the future. […] In a series reported by Backer et al, reoperation proved necessary for 26 of 300 patients who had undergone surgical intervention for vascular rings. The four primary indications for reoperation were Kommerell diverticulum (18 patients), circumflex aorta (2 patients), residual scarring (2 patients), and tracheobronchomalacia necessitating aortopexy (4 patients).
  • #8 Vascular Rings: Practice Essentials, Anatomy, Pathophysiology
    https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/426233-overview
    A number of patients continue to show evidence of some pulmonary function abnormalities years after surgery. Several studies report that measured pulmonary function studies show some degree of airway obstruction in as many as 50% of patients 7-8 years postoperatively. Also, a large number of patients appear to have a pronounced bronchial responsiveness to histamine. […] Naimo et al reported long-term outcomes of complete vascular ring division in 132 children from a 36-year experience at a single institution (median follow-up, 11.4 y; range, 44 d to 36 y). In-hospital mortality was 1.5% (2/132), and no late deaths occurred. Overall survival was 98.3 1.2% at 20 years. After surgical treatment, three patients experienced persistent tracheal compression, and 16 had tracheomalacia. The freedom-from-reoperation rate was 88.6 4.0%. None of the patients required tracheal surgery during the follow-up period.
  • #9 Vascular Rings: Practice Essentials, Anatomy, Pathophysiology
    https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/426233-overview
    A number of patients continue to show evidence of some pulmonary function abnormalities years after surgery. Several studies report that measured pulmonary function studies show some degree of airway obstruction in as many as 50% of patients 7-8 years postoperatively. Also, a large number of patients appear to have a pronounced bronchial responsiveness to histamine. […] Naimo et al reported long-term outcomes of complete vascular ring division in 132 children from a 36-year experience at a single institution (median follow-up, 11.4 y; range, 44 d to 36 y). In-hospital mortality was 1.5% (2/132), and no late deaths occurred. Overall survival was 98.3 1.2% at 20 years. After surgical treatment, three patients experienced persistent tracheal compression, and 16 had tracheomalacia. The freedom-from-reoperation rate was 88.6 4.0%. None of the patients required tracheal surgery during the follow-up period.
  • #10 Vascular Rings: Practice Essentials, Anatomy, Pathophysiology
    https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/426233-overview
    A number of patients continue to show evidence of some pulmonary function abnormalities years after surgery. Several studies report that measured pulmonary function studies show some degree of airway obstruction in as many as 50% of patients 7-8 years postoperatively. Also, a large number of patients appear to have a pronounced bronchial responsiveness to histamine. […] Naimo et al reported long-term outcomes of complete vascular ring division in 132 children from a 36-year experience at a single institution (median follow-up, 11.4 y; range, 44 d to 36 y). In-hospital mortality was 1.5% (2/132), and no late deaths occurred. Overall survival was 98.3 1.2% at 20 years. After surgical treatment, three patients experienced persistent tracheal compression, and 16 had tracheomalacia. The freedom-from-reoperation rate was 88.6 4.0%. None of the patients required tracheal surgery during the follow-up period.
  • #11 Vascular Rings: Practice Essentials, Anatomy, Pathophysiology
    https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/426233-overview
    Franois et al assessed early and late outcomes (mean follow-up, 7.8 5.8 y) in 62 patients (median age, 1 y) who underwent surgical treatment of a vascular ring (most commonly a double aortic arch [53%]). Median extubation time was 4 hours, and median hospital stay was 5 days. Early mortality was 8% and was associated with the anatomic diagnosis, concomitant anomalies, and the need for preoperative intubation. At 1 month, 63% of patients were free of residual symptoms; at 6 months, 82% were. At final follow-up, the rate of freedom from inhalation therapy was 82%.
  • #12 Pediatric vascular ring outcomes for surgically repaired vs. unoperated children: a single-center experience – Ajdaa – Journal of Thoracic Disease
    https://jtd.amegroups.org/article/view/86251/html
    Most patients were symptomatic at the time of diagnosis. […] Despite surgery, 24% of patients were not symptom-free at follow-up. […] Finally, surgery in asymptomatic patients resulted in low morbidity supporting the current recommendation of early surgical repair. […] This late-outcome study on vascular ring repairs demonstrated that 90% of patients were free of ring-related symptoms at follow-up. […] Overall in-hospital morbidity was acceptable (18%) and consisted mostly in pleural effusions and pulmonary atelectasis. […] At follow-up, among the three unoperated patients, one patient remained symptomatic (recurrent respiratory tract infection) whereas two patients were free of symptoms. […] Overall, at 5-year follow-up, 23% of our patients had persisting symptoms. […] Nearly 90% of our patients were free from vascular ring-related respiratory symptoms at late follow-up.
  • #13 Pediatric vascular ring outcomes for surgically repaired vs. unoperated children: a single-center experience – Ajdaa – Journal of Thoracic Disease
    https://jtd.amegroups.org/article/view/86251/html
    Most patients were symptomatic at the time of diagnosis. […] Despite surgery, 24% of patients were not symptom-free at follow-up. […] Finally, surgery in asymptomatic patients resulted in low morbidity supporting the current recommendation of early surgical repair. […] This late-outcome study on vascular ring repairs demonstrated that 90% of patients were free of ring-related symptoms at follow-up. […] Overall in-hospital morbidity was acceptable (18%) and consisted mostly in pleural effusions and pulmonary atelectasis. […] At follow-up, among the three unoperated patients, one patient remained symptomatic (recurrent respiratory tract infection) whereas two patients were free of symptoms. […] Overall, at 5-year follow-up, 23% of our patients had persisting symptoms. […] Nearly 90% of our patients were free from vascular ring-related respiratory symptoms at late follow-up.
  • #14 Pediatric vascular ring outcomes for surgically repaired vs. unoperated children: a single-center experience – Ajdaa – Journal of Thoracic Disease
    https://jtd.amegroups.org/article/view/86251/html
    Most patients were symptomatic at the time of diagnosis. […] Despite surgery, 24% of patients were not symptom-free at follow-up. […] Finally, surgery in asymptomatic patients resulted in low morbidity supporting the current recommendation of early surgical repair. […] This late-outcome study on vascular ring repairs demonstrated that 90% of patients were free of ring-related symptoms at follow-up. […] Overall in-hospital morbidity was acceptable (18%) and consisted mostly in pleural effusions and pulmonary atelectasis. […] At follow-up, among the three unoperated patients, one patient remained symptomatic (recurrent respiratory tract infection) whereas two patients were free of symptoms. […] Overall, at 5-year follow-up, 23% of our patients had persisting symptoms. […] Nearly 90% of our patients were free from vascular ring-related respiratory symptoms at late follow-up.
  • #15 Outcomes of Patients Undergoing Surgery for Complete Vascular Rings – PubMed
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39322321/
    Few studies describe outcomes after complete vascular ring surgery in a comprehensive manner. […] This study sought to describe the clinical presentation, diagnostic work-up, operative approach, and outcomes in children undergoing surgery for complete vascular rings. […] The primary outcome of interest was complete (as distinct from partial) symptom resolution at latest clinic follow-up. […] At latest clinic follow-up, 429 patients (94.7%) reported complete symptom resolution. […] Surgery for complete vascular rings provides good symptomatic relief with low risk of complications, whereas reoperations for aerodigestive symptoms are infrequent.
  • #16 Pediatric vascular ring outcomes for surgically repaired vs. unoperated children: a single-center experience – Ajdaa – Journal of Thoracic Disease
    https://jtd.amegroups.org/article/view/86251/html
    Most patients were symptomatic at the time of diagnosis. […] Despite surgery, 24% of patients were not symptom-free at follow-up. […] Finally, surgery in asymptomatic patients resulted in low morbidity supporting the current recommendation of early surgical repair. […] This late-outcome study on vascular ring repairs demonstrated that 90% of patients were free of ring-related symptoms at follow-up. […] Overall in-hospital morbidity was acceptable (18%) and consisted mostly in pleural effusions and pulmonary atelectasis. […] At follow-up, among the three unoperated patients, one patient remained symptomatic (recurrent respiratory tract infection) whereas two patients were free of symptoms. […] Overall, at 5-year follow-up, 23% of our patients had persisting symptoms. […] Nearly 90% of our patients were free from vascular ring-related respiratory symptoms at late follow-up.
  • #17 Vascular Rings: Practice Essentials, Anatomy, Pathophysiology
    https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/426233-overview
    A number of patients continue to show evidence of some pulmonary function abnormalities years after surgery. Several studies report that measured pulmonary function studies show some degree of airway obstruction in as many as 50% of patients 7-8 years postoperatively. Also, a large number of patients appear to have a pronounced bronchial responsiveness to histamine. […] Naimo et al reported long-term outcomes of complete vascular ring division in 132 children from a 36-year experience at a single institution (median follow-up, 11.4 y; range, 44 d to 36 y). In-hospital mortality was 1.5% (2/132), and no late deaths occurred. Overall survival was 98.3 1.2% at 20 years. After surgical treatment, three patients experienced persistent tracheal compression, and 16 had tracheomalacia. The freedom-from-reoperation rate was 88.6 4.0%. None of the patients required tracheal surgery during the follow-up period.
  • #18 Pediatric vascular ring outcomes for surgically repaired vs. unoperated children: a single-center experience – Ajdaa – Journal of Thoracic Disease
    https://jtd.amegroups.org/article/view/86251/html
    Most patients were symptomatic at the time of diagnosis. […] Despite surgery, 24% of patients were not symptom-free at follow-up. […] Finally, surgery in asymptomatic patients resulted in low morbidity supporting the current recommendation of early surgical repair. […] This late-outcome study on vascular ring repairs demonstrated that 90% of patients were free of ring-related symptoms at follow-up. […] Overall in-hospital morbidity was acceptable (18%) and consisted mostly in pleural effusions and pulmonary atelectasis. […] At follow-up, among the three unoperated patients, one patient remained symptomatic (recurrent respiratory tract infection) whereas two patients were free of symptoms. […] Overall, at 5-year follow-up, 23% of our patients had persisting symptoms. […] Nearly 90% of our patients were free from vascular ring-related respiratory symptoms at late follow-up.
  • #19 Vascular Rings: Practice Essentials, Anatomy, Pathophysiology
    https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/426233-overview
    About 95% of patients who undergo surgical correction of a vascular ring survive for long periods, and most of these are soon relieved of their symptoms. In those infants with no intracardiac or extracardiac defects, surgery for vascular rings carries essentially no mortality. […] Among those with less optimal long-term results are patients with an anomalous left pulmonary artery with and without complete tracheal rings and those with severe associated congenital cardiac defects. In those patients with a severely deformed trachea or tracheomalacia, additional reconstruction procedures may be required in the future. […] In a series reported by Backer et al, reoperation proved necessary for 26 of 300 patients who had undergone surgical intervention for vascular rings. The four primary indications for reoperation were Kommerell diverticulum (18 patients), circumflex aorta (2 patients), residual scarring (2 patients), and tracheobronchomalacia necessitating aortopexy (4 patients).
  • #20 Vascular Rings: Practice Essentials, Anatomy, Pathophysiology
    https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/426233-overview
    A number of patients continue to show evidence of some pulmonary function abnormalities years after surgery. Several studies report that measured pulmonary function studies show some degree of airway obstruction in as many as 50% of patients 7-8 years postoperatively. Also, a large number of patients appear to have a pronounced bronchial responsiveness to histamine. […] Naimo et al reported long-term outcomes of complete vascular ring division in 132 children from a 36-year experience at a single institution (median follow-up, 11.4 y; range, 44 d to 36 y). In-hospital mortality was 1.5% (2/132), and no late deaths occurred. Overall survival was 98.3 1.2% at 20 years. After surgical treatment, three patients experienced persistent tracheal compression, and 16 had tracheomalacia. The freedom-from-reoperation rate was 88.6 4.0%. None of the patients required tracheal surgery during the follow-up period.