Video mediastinoscopically assisted tracheal release in treatment of long tracheal stenosis.

The main prerequisite for the unimpaired wound healing after resection of tracheal stenosis is its tension-free end-to-end anastomosis. This is only achievable when the tracheal ends can be adequately mobilized. Several mobilization techniques have been described in the literature. Here, the authors describe a case of tracheal mobilization under video mediastinoscopic assistance that displayed a considerable advantage over blunt mobilization and a length gain of over 3 cm.