If you've been diagnosed with tracheobronchomalacia (TBM), managing the condition will depend on its severity. Your doctor may recommend medical treatment options or decide that surgery is the best route.
Medical Treatment Options for Tracheobronchomalacia
- Antibiotics
- Mucolytics — medicines that dissolve thick mucus
- Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy — acts as a pneumatic (air pressure) stent, and should be considered as an alternative or additional therapy in appropriate patients
- Inhaled bronchodilators — medications that help to open the airways, and should only be used if symptoms and breathing function improve after use
Surgical Treatment Options for Tracheobronchomalacia
Silicone and/or long-term stenting
Inserting a stent can improve symptoms and pulmonary function in patients with central airway obstruction. It should be considered for patients whose symptoms do not respond to more conservative therapy.
Surgical correction
Tracheobronchoplasty can be performed in a subset of patients to stabilize the airway by reinforcing the back wall of the windpipe with a mesh to prevent its collapse.
A Specialty-Trained Team to Care for You
At the Temple Lung Center, we have a multidisciplinary team led by specialty-trained thoracic surgeons to provide you with the best of care. This team also includes pulmonologists, radiologists, sleep specialists and digestive disease physicians.
Ready for an Appointment?
For an evaluation of your symptoms or for more information about treatment, request an appointment online or call 800-TEMPLE-MED (800-836-7536).
Learn more about our doctors and care team who diagnose and treat tracheobronchomalacia.
