Percutaneous dilation of tracheal stenosis.

A high-grade complex tracheal stenosis distal to a tracheostomy tube occurred in a patient with a chronic vegetative state. The stenosis was easily and rapidly dilated at bedside using commercially available percutaneous tracheostomy kit dilators. Following tracheal dilation, a larger tracheostomy tube was inserted, resulting in the splinting of the stenotic area. To my knowledge, this is the first report of such a bedside technique for the dilation of a tracheal stenosis through a tracheostomy. This technique may provide a temporary relief from tracheal obstruction as long as the stenosis is within the reach of the dilator.