Tracheal resections and anastomosis for benign tracheal stricture. A seven-year experience in a single tertiary institute

Background

Tracheal stenosis is one of the major complications following prolonged endotracheal intubation. Tracheal resection and anastomosis (TRA) is a definitive solution for this serious problem. This study aimed to review the experience of our institute in 7 years with patients presenting with postintubation tracheal stenosis.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of patients with post-intubation tracheal stenosis who presented to the pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery departments, Ain Shams University Hospitals, Cairo, Egypt during the period from January 2009 to January 2016. All patients were subjected to diagnostic bronchoscopy, and radiological evaluation. TRA was performed as a primary treatment. Sixty patients were selected and data were collected from their files.

Results

Age range was 2–72 years with mean age of 29.76 ± 17.04 years, 42 were males (70%) and 18 were females (30%), 40 patients (66.7%) had previous bronchoscopic dilatations, 35 patients (58.33%) had tracheostomies, 4 patients (6.7%) had history of tracheal stenting. Twenty-five patients (41.67%) had cricotracheal resection (CTR) for subglottic stenosis. Patients were followed up for 6 months. Anastomotic success rate was (96.6%). Two patients died during the in-hospital stay (3.3%).

Conclusions

TRA proved to be a safe and reliable solution for post-intubation tracheal stenosis. This procedure should be considered first in developing countries where there is frequent rush for tracheostomies and tracheal stenting. Quality of life improved dramatically following this definitive surgery.