[Surgical experience with tracheoplasty]

We have had experience with 31 tracheoplastic procedures. Underlying diseases consisted of primary tumor, cancer invasion from carcinoma of the thyroid gland and the esophagus, traumatic rupture and post-tracheostomy and tuberculous stenoses. During operation, respiratory support has been satisfactorily established by using the intubation method via the operative field and/or high frequency ventilation instrument. Furthermore, development of absorbable suture material like Dexon and Vicryl benefited by minimizing granulation stenosis at anastomosis due to less foreign body reaction. The prognosis for carcinomatous involvement from surrounding organs was much worse according to advanced cancer stages. However, surgical outcome of this procedure was satisfactory in terms of relieving respiratory distress.