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Robotic Surgery Gives Boy New Airway
28 Feb
Summary
- An eight-year-old boy received robotic slide tracheoplasty for congenital tracheal stenosis.
- The rare condition involves an abnormally narrow windpipe present from birth.
- Robotic surgery significantly reduced recovery time, with a four-day hospital stay.

A remarkable advancement in pediatric airway surgery was achieved at the Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore, with the successful robotic slide tracheoplasty performed on an eight-year-old boy. The child suffered from congenital tracheal stenosis, a rare condition where infants are born with a narrowed windpipe, often leading to severe breathing difficulties.
This pioneering operation, supported by Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO), utilized advanced robotic technology for airway reconstruction. The minimally invasive approach enabled precise dissection and a secure airway repair. The multidisciplinary team included specialists in pediatric anesthesia and cardiothoracic surgery.
Global expertise contributed to the surgery's success, with live telementoring from Dr. Robert Cerfolio, a renowned robotic thoracic surgeon from New York. This collaborative effort highlights the evolving landscape of complex surgical interventions for pediatric patients.
The benefits of the robotic procedure were evident in the patient's rapid recovery. The intubation period was reduced to just two days, and the subsequent hospital stay was only four days, allowing for a safe discharge in under a week. This demonstrates the potential of robotic surgery in improving patient outcomes and reducing recovery burdens.




