Vascular Rings, Slings, and Related Disorders

The three predominant forms of vascular ringVascular ring/sling are: Double aortic arch (40–50%), Right arch with left duct (usually with diverticulum of KommerellDiverticulum of Kommerell) 25–30%, and Pulmonary artery slingPulmonary artery sling 15–20%. Surgical decision-making is guided by respiratory and dysphagia symptoms. Cross-sectional imaging is essential for surgical planning. Complete tracheal ringsTracheal rings are associated in 50–67% of pulmonary artery slingPulmonary artery sling patients. Need for surgical correction by slide tracheoplasty determined by symptomatology and natural history of growth. The prognosis of left pulmonary artery slingPulmonary artery sling syndrome is variable and determined primarily by the associated airway abnormalities.