A Case of Tracheomalacia Diagnosed After Laryngotracheal Separation

Tracheomalacia is a condition characterized by weakened tracheal walls, due to which the trachea collapses during expiration, resulting in dyspnea. Patients with severe motor and intellectual disabilities have many causes of tracheomalacia. They need to lie in bed for long periods; therefore, their chest wall becomes deformed and the thoracic vertebrae and brachiocephalic artery compress the trachea. In addition, they frequently develop aspiration pneumonia.