[Laryngotracheal Resection and Reconstruction]

Cervical tracheoplasty requires knowledge and skills not only of the trachea but also of the larynx. Even if the lesion is thought preoperatively to be confined to the cervical trachea, intraoperative manipulation of the larynx is often necessary. This area that involves the larynx and trachea is a borderline between otorhinolaryngology and thoracic surgery, and there are very few surgeons in Japan who are well trained in both areas. The author studied at the Department of Thoracic Surgery at the Medical University of Vienna for clinical lung transplantation and was fortunate to have the opportunity to receive specialized and systematic training in this laryngotracheal surgery as well. This article describes the techniques and tips for "laryngotracheal surgery" focusing on "tracheal resection and reconstruction" and "cricotracheal resection and reconstruction" for benign airway stenosis, which I learned in Vienna and am now practicing at Fukuoka University. In addition, it also discusses the basic concepts for malignant diseases of the area.