Temple Faculty Physicians is experiencing technical issues with phone lines. If you are experiencing an emergency, please visit your nearest emergency room. If you would like to schedule an appointment with your provider or have general questions or requests, please contact us by using myTempleHealth.

myTempleHealth
800-TEMPLE-MED Schedule Appointment
SEARCH TEMPLE HEALTH
Conditions

How Do You Treat Tracheobronchomalacia?

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.