[Treatment of tumour-associated and scarred tracheal stenoses. Changing pathophysiological perspectives (author's transl)].

Although tracheal resections have been in use for quite some time, they were largely outweighed by procedures of plastic reconstruction, since tracheal resections were extensible to only 2 to 4 cm. At the present time, however, a resection length of up to 70% of the trachea, i. e. 7 to 8 cm, is impossible. The therapy of choice for most obstructive diseases of the trachea is the circular tracheal resection with end-to-end anastomosis. Plastic reconstruction is most indicated for stenoses of the cricoid cartilage. Tracheal protheses should only be used when a primary anastomosis cannot be carried out due to excessive tension. As a rule, this applies to resection lengths exceeding 7 to 8 cm.