Lainey was transferred to Dayton Children Hospital’s newborn intensive care unit (NICU), where she was evaluated by Dr. Ravi Elluru, a world renowned medical director of the advanced ENT and airway program at Dayton Children’s. Dr. Elluru determined Lainey was suffering from stridor, noisy breathing that occurs due to obstructed air flow through a narrowed airway.
“Lainey sounded similar to a patient with croup — almost like a barking seal,” Dr. Elluru says. “The high-pitch sound is from the airway collapsing against the trachea.”
Dr. Elluru attempted to dilate her airway several times and performed several scopes, but each time her airway collapsed. Airway reconstruction surgery was the last hope; all other options had been exhausted. “Without this type of surgery, Lainey would have needed to have a tracheostomy to create an opening through the neck into the windpipe,” says Dr. Elluru. “That can be a very limiting way to live. So this surgery would provide Lainey — and her entire family — with an incredible improvement on quality of life.”
However, Lainey still only weighed seven pounds, less than the weight of many full-term babies. To give her time to grow and the clinical team time to prepare for this highly complex case, surgery was scheduled to take place in two months.
But as Lainey’s breathing progressively worsened, the time table was forced. Surgery had to be moved up several weeks. Thanks to their dedication, the team was ready to provide the best care for baby Lainey. Surgery was successful, but it had been an emotional roller-coaster ride for mom and dad.
“There was one moment that I just remember breaking down when Lainey was in intensive care following her surgery,” says Heather, Lainey’s mother. “I was sobbing hysterically, and our nurse Abby just simply held my hand while I cried. That was my darkest moment where no words could help, but the touch of someone who understood my pain made all of the difference.”
Surgery was only half the battle. There was a long road of recovery ahead. The pediatric intensivists customized everything for Lainey’s recovery.
“The success of the airway program truly lies in the strength of the post-operative care team,” says Dr. Vipul Patel, medical director of the pediatric intensive care unit and one of Lainey’s many physicians. “For the first seven days she was in intensive care, a nurse never left Lainey’s bedside.” Lainey also had special order sets and a unique humidification therapy to keep her airway moist to heal faster.
“The care Dr. Elluru, every doctor and nurse in surgery and intensive care provided to our entire family was nothing short of incredible,” Heather says. “Even now that she’s home from the hospital, Dr. Elluru will still call us to check on her.”
Dayton Children’s became Lainey’s home for seven months while she healed, grew and strengthened her airway. Today she is able to join her twin brother in play, and her parents are able to breathe a sigh of relief.
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