A new endoscopic technique for intraluminal repair of posterior tracheal laceration

This report describes an endoscopic repair of a tracheal tear with a newly developed optical needle holder. No surgical access was necessary. A 71-year-old woman with a 5-cm gaping iatrogenic tracheal laceration and a distinctive mediastinal and subcutaneous emphysema was successfully repaired with an endotracheal running suture through a 14-mm rigid tracheoscope. Operation time was 105 minutes, and borderline jet ventilation was used to maintain oxygen saturation. A bronchoscopy 9 days later revealed the tracheal tear had completely closed and the running suture was in place. No postoperative complications were noted.