Our eight years experience in postintubation/posttracheostomy tracheal stenosis

Area of Science:

• Pulmonology
• Thoracic Surgery
• Interventional Bronchoscopy

Background:

• Tracheal stenosis (TS) commonly results from post-intubation or post-tracheostomy trauma.
• Bronchoscopy is the standard for diagnosing tracheobronchial pathology.
• Multiple treatment modalities exist for managing TS.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review treatment options for tracheal stenosis patients.
• To analyze the follow-up outcomes of these treatments.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective review of 110 consecutive patients with TS between 2009 and 2018.
• Data collected included demographics, stenosis characteristics, treatment techniques, complications, and survival.
• All patients underwent mechanical dilatation; some received bronchoscopic resection or tracheal stents.

Main Results:

• The study included 110 patients (49.1% female, mean age 53.7 years).
• Complex stenosis was most common (74.5%).
• 32.7% of patients underwent surgical resection during follow-up, with 16.7% mortality, 47.2% recovery, and 36.1% restenosis.

Conclusions:

• Tracheal stenosis management involves diverse modalities, frequently arising post-intubation/tracheostomy.
• While surgery is often preferred, endoscopic interventions are viable for inoperable patients.
• Post-interventional follow-up is essential to monitor for complications and restenosis.