[Experiences with transverse resections and vertical incisions in treatment of tracheal stenoses and tracheal injuries].

BACKGROUND

The treatment of stenoses and traumatic lesions in subglottic and tracheal areas often requires long term follow-up. This study was undertaken to evaluate the efficiency of tracheal resections and vertical dissections with respect to the length and the quality of the treatment.

PATIENTS

Thirty-one adult patients underwent tracheal resections. This group includes one patient with an esophagotracheal fistula which was closed after segmental resection. Two cases of traumatic tracheal lesions in the lower third of the trachea in children are also presented.

RESULTS

Long-term intubation was the reason of stenosis in 93.5% of the patients. The tracheal stenosis was successfully resected in 87% of the patients without any complications. The healing process was not related to age and sex. The prognosis was influenced negatively by the type and frequency of previous treatments. We detected paresis of the recurrent nerve postoperatively in two patients.

CONCLUSIONS

1. Our experience has shown that tracheal resection is the optimal treatment of stenosis. 2. The transtracheal access in childhood is very suitable for the closure of tracheal lesions located in the lower third of the trachea.