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Complete Tracheal Rings

Also known as: deformed tracheal rings, congenital malformation of the trachea.

What are complete tracheal rings?

The trachea is the windpipe, and trachea rings are rings of cartilage that enhance the structure of the trachea and prevent it from collapsing. Normally, tracheal rings are C-shaped. But complete tracheal rings have an O-shape that can lead to complications.

What causes complete tracheal rings?

The exact cause of complete tracheal rings is unknown. It is frequently present along with other defects such as Down syndrome, Pfeiffer syndrome and a number of other congenital heart, lung or blood vessel problems.

What are the symptoms of complete tracheal rings?

Breathing problems are commonly associated with complete tracheal rings. These can take the form of noisy breathing, wheezing, a sunken chest, pauses in breathing (apnea), chest congestion and recurrent infections.

What are complete tracheal ring care options?

If the symptoms are mild, close monitoring of the child and symptoms may be sufficient. More severe problems with complete tracheal rings may require surgery to repair the problem.

Reviewed by: Brian Ho, MD

This page was last updated on: 3/13/2026 5:05:04 PM

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The Airway Disorders Program brings together a clinical team experienced in providing care for children with a wide range of airway disorders. The team evaluates each child's individual condition and develops a care plan tailored to his or her specific needs. Program offerings include a range of surgical procedures that help children breathe to their best ability.

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Inspiring Patient Stories

ignacio smiling on a summer soccer field. Ignacio is Breathing and Living Stronger

Ignacio was born with a rare congenital anomaly on his tracheal rings. He remained undiagnosed of his condition until he was evaluated for sleep apnea at 8 years old. The ENT specialists at Nicklaus Children's Hospital were able to diagnose the source of his breathing obstruction, snoring, and nasal congestion and performed a surgery to open his airways and widen his trachea.

Learn more about

Tracheal Stenosis The trachea is another name for the windpipe that delivers air to and from the lungs. When the trachea becomes narrow and negatively impacts breathing, this is known as tracheal stenosis.
Sleep Apnea Sleep apnea is a disorder in which breathing is blocked and interrupted for periods of 5 to 10 seconds or more while sleeping.
Bronchoscopy A bronchoscopy is a medical test that is used to examine and look for problems in the lungs. The procedure may also be used to obtain a sample of tissue from the lungs or airway.
Slide Tracheoplasty If a patient has difficulty breathing due to a narrow airway, slide tracheoplasty is a potential treatment. The procedure gets its name due to the fact that two cut portions of the trachea are slid over one another in order to create a wider airway.