Predicting outcome in tracheal and cricotracheal segmental resection

The aim of this study was to analyze prognostic factors of successful tracheal and cricotracheal segmental resection (TR/CTR), the type of revisions performed in cases of failure, and the outcome of revisions. The study is designed as case series with chart review. Between 1995 and 2011, 122 adult patients underwent TR/CTR. Forty-six patients (38 %) had concomitant airway pathologies and 59 patients (48 %) failed previous interventions. Forty-six patients (38 %) were aphonic with a complete obstruction. Cricotracheal, tracheotracheal, and thyrotracheal anastomosis was performed in 78 (64 %), 24 (20 %) and 20 (16 %) patients, respectively. Subglottic involvement, higher grade of obstruction, preoperative tracheostomy, presence of any concomitant airway pathology and impaired vocal cord movement were all associated with poorer outcome. Initially, 85 patients (68 %) achieved primary goal with no need for further intervention. Thirty-six patients underwent one or more revision surgeries (laser, dilatation, tracheostomy, stent or T-tube, laryngoplasty, segmental resection, posterior cordotomy) with a success rate of 69 %. Overall success rate, after revisions, was 88.5 %. Segmental tracheal resection for tracheal stenosis is highly successful in non-tracheotomized, cricoid sparing incomplete tracheal stenosis patients, without secondary airway pathologies. Initial failures of TR/CTR can be managed with revision surgery.