Aaron Bissell
Aaron was born on July 28th, 1993 at 26 weeks gestation, weight 2 lbs. 2 oz., length 13 inches. Aaron has an identical twin brother Eric who has spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy. The boys spent three months in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and had many of the common problems of prematurity.
Aaron had a tracheostomy for 4 years because of acquired subglottic stenosis. He had scar tissue and narrowing in his trachea (wind pipe) due to the trauma of being on a ventilator. His trachea was damaged from the endotracheal tube (ET tube) that the doctors place in his airway for mechanical ventilation. The ventilator saved his life, but no medical procedure is done without the possibility of complications. The tracheostomy tube by-passed the damaged area.
- Aaron's surgical note: step by step description of Aaron's tracheotomy procedure.
Eric and Aaron 1994
Aaron's condition was complicated by bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), which is a respiratory problem common in preemies secondary to mechanical ventilation. Aaron was O2 dependent for 3 years. We waited until Aaron's respiratory status improved before attempting his tracheal reconstructive surgery to correct his subglottic stenosis.
- Aaron's tracheal reconstructive surgery: Information and links on subglottic stenosis, photos and details of Aaron's hospitalization, including complication of subglottic web.
Update December 2000
Aaron continues to have problems with scar tissue in his airway and is
monitored closely by his ENT.
- Subglottic web Aug 1997
- Subglottic web May 2000
- Aaron's Scars at Age 9 (5 years after LTP)
Aaron (right) with his twin brother Eric, 2002
Aaron's forth grade picture, Age 10
Aaron's eight grade picture, Age 14
Visit the Bissell Home Page to read more about Aaron and meet his parents, his identical twin brother Eric and his new adopted Anthony!