Well it is official - if all goes well Daniel will be trach-free by his first birthday!! We got the official word today that Daniel will be having airway surgery on April 21st.
So what is "The Plan" and what will be done on April 21st? Well the plan is for Daniel to have a procedure called Single Stage Laryngotracheal Reconstruction. Single stage laryngotracheal reconstruction is a surgery in which the airway is made larger by placing a graft in the area that is narrowed. Most grafts are made of ear cartilage, thyroid cartilage, or rib cartilage. In Daniel's case his graft will come from his rib. The incision for the graft will be about one inch and will be around the breast area. The ENT doctor will place the graft in the back (posterior) of Daniel's airway in order to make the airway larger. The graft will grow with Daniel and should not have to be re-grafted in the future. The main incision will take place in the skin folds across his neck, approximately where his trach is now. At the time of the surgery, Daniel's trach will be removed and the hole in which the trach tube now sits will be closed.
A breathing tube (also known as an endotracheal tube or ETT) will be in place through his nose after the surgery. The breathing tube will hold the airway and graft in place while it heals so it does not shrink back down. It is expected that Daniel will have his ETT tube and be in post-op for approximately nine days. During this time, he will be sedated (once again) to help prevent him from pulling out his breathing tube, which we know he is an expert at.
The main surgery is followed by a series of scopes (or Microlaryngoscopy and Bronchoscopy) in the operating room to check the airway for healing. The scopes will be done a week after surgery, prior to discharge and for two weeks after discharge - thus our need to stay in Ohio for about a month.
For more information regarding single stage laryngotracheal reconstruction feel free to visit: http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/health/info/ent/procedure/ssltr.htm.
We head to Ohio on Tuesday to make sure that Daniel's esophagus is staying open. (Hopefully it is!) Well keep you posted as the weeks progress and move forward with Daniel.
Thanks again for caring and reading!!
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2 comments:
yippee kira can't wait! sorry we have been so sick lately and not seen you guys enough.. Good thing though. We will have plenty of time time when you get back to catch up and get these chilins acquianted
Great news, we are so thrilled to hear that things are scheduled. You'all have been through so much and it is refreshing to see the diary and 'sweet cheeks' looks like he is handling it like a pro! Mom and Dad too!! Our thoughts and prays are with you and will stay tuned to our updates with Aunt Deirdre and the Duker Diary! XXOO
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