Jagger is now 20 months old and has had his trach since he was 2 1/2 months old. He was born with a TE Fistula and during his repair surgery the retractors damaged his vocal cords causing him to have bi-lateral vocal cord paralysis. I just recently learned that there is a surgery (Endoscopic Posterior Cricoid Split with Rib Graft) that may be able to make where Jagger can have his trach removed. If there is anyone that is familiar with this procedure, please let me know. I have tried to find some info on the internet but with little luck. Jagger went last month to his ENT to have his vocal cords checked again, however there was no change. Both vocal cords are still paralyzed. :( I spoke to Jagger's ENT about the surgery and he said that he would be a good candidate for the surgery but would like to wait until he is 2 1/2 or 3 before giving it serious thought. I know that the procedure is still pretty new, so any info would be greatly appreciated and would maybe calm my nerves.
My little boy is now 17 months old and has a trach and a g-tube. He was born with a TE Fistula, which was repaired when he was a day old. During his repair surgery, his vocal cords were damaged, causing him to have severe stridor. For the next three months, Jagger went through a total of 7 surgeries and procedures. Including his TEF repair, insertion of a Broviak, insertion of a G-Tube, 2 Esophagus dialations, Niessen Fundoplication, and his tracheostomy. During all of this he had a leak in his esphagus, causing air to escape, putting pressure on his lung, causing it to collapse. He had a total of 3 chest tubes, a bout with pneumonia, staph infection, and failure to thrive. We spent our first 2 1/2 months at Huntsville Hospital (one of the only hospitals with a NICU in our area) and after being diagnosed with bi-lateral vocal cord paralysis and told that Jagger needed a trach put in we decided to get a second opinion and had him transferred to Vanderbilt Children's Hospital in Nashville, TN. He stayed another 16 days at Vandy and received his trach there. The doctors there were able to get him the nutrtion that he needed and he started gaining weight. Jagger was allowed to come home on his 3 month birthday and is doing well. He has been hospitalized twice since coming home for the flu and bronchitis. He is over 22 lbs. now and is as active as any other 17 month old. He recently got to start wearing a Passy-Muir Valve, so that he can communicate. He hasn't spoke any words yet, but loves to make all sorts of sound. We cried the first time that he put it on, because it was the first time we had heard him cry since the day he was born and the first time we had ever heard his sweet little laugh. I love it! I never get tired of hearing his little voice! He is my pride and joy and the child that God intended me to have. I wouldn't trade the past 17 months for anything in the world!
My precious baby boy
My little boy is now 17 months old and has a trach and a g-tube. He was born with a TE Fistula, which was repaired when he was a day old. During his repair surgery, his vocal cords were damaged, causing him to have severe stridor. For the next three months, Jagger went through a total of 7 surgeries and procedures. Including his TEF repair, insertion of a Broviak, insertion of a G-Tube, 2 Esophagus dialations, Niessen Fundoplication, and his tracheostomy. During all of this he had a leak in his esphagus, causing air to escape, putting pressure on his lung, causing it to collapse. He had a total of 3 chest tubes, a bout with pneumonia, staph infection, and failure to thrive. We spent our first 2 1/2 months at Huntsville Hospital (one of the only hospitals with a NICU in our area) and after being diagnosed with bi-lateral vocal cord paralysis and told that Jagger needed a trach put in we decided to get a second opinion and had him transferred to Vanderbilt Children's Hospital in Nashville, TN. He stayed another 16 days at Vandy and received his trach there. The doctors there were able to get him the nutrtion that he needed and he started gaining weight. Jagger was allowed to come home on his 3 month birthday and is doing well. He has been hospitalized twice since coming home for the flu and bronchitis. He is over 22 lbs. now and is as active as any other 17 month old. He recently got to start wearing a Passy-Muir Valve, so that he can communicate. He hasn't spoke any words yet, but loves to make all sorts of sound. We cried the first time that he put it on, because it was the first time we had heard him cry since the day he was born and the first time we had ever heard his sweet little laugh. I love it! I never get tired of hearing his little voice! He is my pride and joy and the child that God intended me to have. I wouldn't trade the past 17 months for anything in the world!