[Therapeutic effect of tracheal anastomosis versus interventional bronchoscopy in the treatment of airway stenosis].

OBJECTIVE

To compare the therapeutic effects of tracheal anastomosis and interventional bronchoscopy in the treatment of airway stenosis.

METHODS

From February, 1990 to February 2008, 53 patients with airway stenosis including 32 male and 21 female patients aged 2 to 80 years (mean 38 years) received end-to-end anastomosis or bronchoscopic stent-graft treatment in our hospital. End-to-end anastomosis of the narrow sleeves resected was performed in 26 cases, balloon dilatation in 14 cases, and stent implantation in 13 cases. The clinical and follow-up data of the patients were analyzed retrospectively and the surgical outcomes were evaluated.

RESULTS

No perioperative deaths occurred in these cases. Eight patients (5 with anastomosis, 2 with balloon dilation, and 1 with stent implantation) were lost to the follow-up ranging from 1 to 204 (mean 44.94-/+54.56) months. Of the patients available to the follow-up, 12 had airway restenosis, including 2 receiving end-to-end anastomosis (9.5%), 6 (50%) receiving balloon angioplasty, and 6 with granulation hyperplasia following stent implantation (50%). Of the 3 treatment, end-to-end anastomosis was associated with the lowest restenosis rate (Chi2=8.869, P=0.012).

CONCLUSION

End-to-end anastomosis, with a low postoperative restenosis rate and better prognosis, should be the primary choice for treatment of tracheal airway stenosis.