Seattle Children’s Airway and Esophageal Center
Comprehensive care for all children with complex breathing and swallowing conditions
We are the only center in the Pacific Northwest that is skilled and equipped to care for children with complex conditions affecting their airway (windpipe and voice box) and swallowing tube (esophagus). From your child’s first assessment through treatment and long-term follow-up, we work as a team to provide seamless care. U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks Seattle Children’s among the top children’s hospitals in the country. We treat babies, children, teens and young adults.
Airway and Esophageal Conditions We Treat
- Tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF), Esophageal atresia (EA), and other congenital airway and esophagus malformations
- Airway stenosis
- Complex obstructive sleep apnea
- Complex swallowing problems
- Bronchomalacia
- Tracheomalacia
- Esophageal injury and trauma
- Complete tracheal rings
- Vascular rings and sling
Why Choose Our Airway and Esophageal Center
Transformative care customized to your child’s needs
We are pioneers in virtual surgical planning techniques for complex airway and esophageal procedures. Using 3D printing, we create anatomical models that are unique to each patient, from tiny airways to squishy hearts. Advanced airway imaging helps us better understand and fix a child’s breathing and swallowing problems.
An expert team centered on your child
Our team has extensive experience treating the most complex airway and swallowing conditions. From otolaryngologists (ear, nose, and throat) to pulmonologists (lung) to gastroenterologists (GI) to general surgeons, we partner with you to create tailored treatment plans and give your child exceptional medical care. Our specialized speech and language pathologists, dietitians, nurses, and care coordinators work with you so all your child’s needs are met in one place.
Our Airway and Esophageal Services
We offer a broad range of services, from advanced imaging and innovative surgeries to expert feeding therapy and the newest medications. We tailor treatment to your child’s condition and unique anatomy.
TEF and EA care for newborns through young adults
Seattle Children’s has the only team in the region with expertise in all the areas that babies with tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) and esophageal atresia (EA) may need. Our surgery team is very experienced in performing procedures to repair TEF and EA. More cases mean greater skill and better outcomes.
Solving complex airway problems
Sometimes, children’s airways can become narrowed (airway or tracheal stenosis), making it hard to breathe. Our team has experience in diagnosing, treating, and supporting children with complex airways across the care continuum. We are adept at minimally invasive techniques, which result in less pain and faster recovery times.
Aerodigestive Program spans breathing, swallowing and eating systems
Our Aerodigestive Program cares for children from birth to age 21 who have complex upper airway, breathing and swallowing problems. Our team works together to identify your child’s problems and how they are connected. Then we create a care plan that spans their respiratory, digestive and pulmonary systems.
Novel care for children with persistent obstructive sleep apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea happens when your child's airway closes during sleep. This blocks air from getting in and signals their brain to wake up. Our Refractory Obstructive Sleep Apnea (ROSA) Clinic brings together medical and surgical experts who are dedicated to exploring new and evolving treatments and therapies to treat your child’s persistent obstructive sleep apnea.
Expert care, starting before birth
If a serious condition is discovered during pregnancy, our Fetal Care and Treatment Center team can help you prepare for what lies ahead. We work with your birth hospital to arrange the special care your baby will need. We have a highly skilled transport team and the state’s first Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), the highest level of care.
Patient Success Stories
Photo courtesy of Four Oaks Photography.
“You would never know what she’s been through. She has a tiny scar and that’s all. Seattle Children’s is the best place ever. The whole care team was our family.”
– Timothy Mauesby, whose daughter Nia struggled to breathe because she was born with an extremely narrow bronchial tube
“At first, it was very overwhelming. You see so many tubes, cords, and DJ was in a box. But everything was taken care of for us at Seattle Children’s.”
– Angela McCulloch, whose son DJ enjoys school, sports and the outdoors after surgeries for TEF and EA at Seattle Children’s.
Airway and Esophageal Procedures
We treat children with all types of conditions that affect their breathing and swallowing. Our expertise includes these and other procedures:
- Aortopexy
- Tracheopexy
- Foker procedure
- Jejunal interposition
- Airway reconstruction, such as slide tracheoplasty and laryngotracheoplasty (LTR)
- Multi-level airway and jaw (orthognathic) surgery for complex sleep issues
- Tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) and esophageal atresia (EA) repair and revision
Getting Care at the Airway and Esophageal Center
Many children and families with conditions affecting their windpipe or swallowing tube travel to Seattle Children's for treatment or surgery. We help you coordinate transportation and housing so you can stay focused on your child. We have lots of experience helping families make the transition back home safely.