New, Innovative Treatment for Collapsed Airways in Newborns!

Tracheomalacia is a serious condition that affects some newborns. It causes the trachea, or the windpipe, to collapse, making it hard for the baby to breathe and get enough oxygen, which can of course be life-threatening.

There are some treatments available for tracheomalacia, including surgery, stents, or sutures to keep the trachea open. However, these interventions have their own risks and can lead to problems like infection, bleeding, scarring, or damage to the trachea in some cases.

A new solution for tracheomalacia has been developed by researchers in Switzerland. (1) They used a special material called hydrogel to create a patch that can wrap around the outside of the trachea. Hydrogel is a soft and flexible material that contains a lot of water. It is similar to some tissues in the body and can allow oxygen and nutrients to pass through.

The researchers tested the hydrogel patch on a model of a collapsed trachea. They found that the patch could restore up to 50% of the trachea's volume and prevent it from collapsing further. The patch could also adapt to the shape and movement of the trachea. The researchers believe that the hydrogel patch could be a promising treatment for tracheomalacia that is more effective and safer than the current options.

Reference:

1. Uslu E, Rana VK, Anagnostopoulos S, et al. Wet adhesive hydrogels to correct malacic trachea (tracheomalacia) A proof of concept. iScience. 2023;26(7):107168. Published 2023 Jun 18. doi:10.1016/j.isci.2023.107168