When to consider a posterolateral descending aortopexy in addition to a posterior tracheopexy for the surgical treatment of symptomatic tracheobronchomalacia

Retrospective study of 188 patients identifies clinical factors guiding the decision to add posterolateral descending aortopexy to posterior tracheopexy for symptomatic TBM. Key predictors include >50% left mainstem bronchus compression on bronchoscopy and aortic position >50% anterior to the spine on CT imaging.