The critical period for development of secondary restenosis following post-intubation tracheal stenosis surgery

Determining a predictable duration to restenosis very essential for reducing mortality and morbidity for tracheal stenosis surgery.

The aim of this study was to determine the critical periods for secondary restenosis risk for operated patients with post-intubation tracheal stenosis (PITS) during the initial healing period.

A total of 61 patients with a diagnosis of surgically treated PITS were included in the study. Treatment groups were carbon dioxide (CO₂) laser and tracheal resection with primary anastomosis (TRPA). Duration to restenosis was compared with Kaplan-Meier curves between study groups.

Restenosis developed in 11 (18.0%) patients and was diagnosed after a mean of 39.3 ± 38.5 (range, 22 to 155) days. Gender or Cotton-Myer grade of the PITS was not found to be risk factors for the development of stenosis. Restenosis rate was 33.3% in CO₂ laser group and 10% in the TRPA group (p = .036). Duration to restenosis was detected at a median of 28 days in patients treated with CO₂ laser, and a median of 30 days in patients treated with TRPA (p = .024).

The most critical period for the development of restenosis after PITS treatment is the third and fourth weeks, especially in patients treated with CO₂ laser.