Vascular ring: Early and long-term mortality and morbidity after surgical repair

Topic overview

Abstract

Background

Vascular ring is a rare cause of recurrent respiratory infections, dysphagia and stridor. Surgical repair is considered safe but the long-term outcomes are unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the mortality and morbidity following vascular ring surgery in a single institution.

Materials and methods

This retrospective study covers operations done at Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark between October 1983 and May 2015. Medical records were reviewed focusing on early complications and long-term complaints up to September 2017.

Results

A total of 23 patients with median age of 1.4 years (range 0.008–64 years) were operated for vascular ring. Median follow-up was 6.8 years (range 2.4–34 years). Presenting symptoms were stridor (52%), dysphagia or vomiting (52%) and recurrent respiratory infections (48%). There were no early or late deaths. Three months postoperatively, 59% reported no respiratory complaints and 50% reported normal eating habits. Long term, only 14% had no complaints. In particular, asthma (36%), persistent stridor (18%) and recurrent respiratory infections (32%) were frequent. A high number of patients developed mental illness (27%).

Conclusion

Surgery for vascular ring can be performed with low early and long-term mortality. Despite good three months outcome, the majority of patients had long-term respiratory issues. Oesophageal morbidity was low.

Level-of-Evidence

2B

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