Challenging tracheal resection anastomosis: Case series.

Area of Science:

• Otorhinolaryngology
• Surgical Oncology
• Trauma Surgery

Background:

• Severe subglottic/tracheal stenosis poses significant management challenges.
• High-risk patients often have complex etiologies or comorbidities complicating treatment.
• Previous unsuccessful surgeries increase the difficulty of managing tracheal stenosis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the experience of managing high-risk patients undergoing cricotracheal resection.
• To evaluate the outcomes of cricotracheal resection for severe tracheal stenosis in a specialized center.
• To assess the feasibility of cricotracheal resection in cases with unusual pathologies.

Main Methods:

• A case series of nine patients with severe (Grade III/IV) subglottic/cervical tracheal stenosis.
• Patients included those with recurrent stenosis, external neck trauma, tracheal neoplasm, or tracheo-esophageal fistula.
• All patients underwent cricotracheal resection by a specialized Otorhinolaryngology team.

Main Results:

• Successful decannulation was achieved in all nine patients.
• No major intraoperative or postoperative complications were reported.
• The study demonstrates a high success rate for cricotracheal resection in complex cases.

Conclusions:

• Cricotracheal resection is an effective treatment for subglottic/upper tracheal stenosis caused by uncommon pathologies.
• Management of neoplastic lesions, post-traumatic stenosis, and revision cases can be successful.
• Optimal outcomes necessitate a highly skilled surgical team experienced in these complex procedures.