Surgical treatment of tracheal stenosis

During the last 3 1/2 years 8 patients underwent segmental resection of the trachea and one patient underwent resection of the carina at the Department of Surgery, University Hospital, Köln. Follow-up investigation in 6 month intervals showed good results in 6 patients. The complicated course of 1 of our patients with tumor infiltration of the trachea is discussed. In this case a large esophagotracheal fistula was covered with a vascularized esophageal segment. Suggestions for surgical indications in segmental resection of benign esophageal stenosis are outlined.