[Application of spiral tracheoplasty in thyroid cancer with tracheal invasion]

Objective: To explore the application of spiral tracheoplasty in the repair of large tracheal defects after the resection of trachea invaded by thyroid cancer. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 11 patients, including 4 males and 7 females, aged from 36 to 67 years old, with large tracheal defects after tracheal resection due to thyroid papillary carcinoma invading the trachea in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University from January 2019 to January 2022. The range of tracheal defects, time of tracheal reconstruction, postoperative complications and airway were recorded, and the patients were followed up for more than 24 months. Results: All patients underwent total thyroidectomy and tracheal resection and spiral reconstruction, and 2 of the cases underwent cricoid cartilage resection on the invaded side of cartilage. The tracheal defect accounted for 40%-60% of the circumference, and the lengths of the tracheal defects were 5.0 cm×7.5 cm and 6-9 tracheal rings, with 2 cases combined with partial defects of the cricoid cartilage. The reconstruction time was 30-60 min, with an average of 41.81 min. Among the 11 patients, 3 had recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis, and 2 underwent tracheotomy. Four patients presented with hypocalcemia within one month after the operation. Followed up for 24-60 months, no tracheal stenosis occurred, the 2-year survival rate was 100%, the 2-year local control rate of the trachea was 100%, and the 2-year tumor-free survival rate was 81.8%. Conclusion: Spiral tracheoplasty is a safe and effective method that can reduce the tension at the tracheal anastomosis and expand the tracheal cavity, which can be used for tracheal reconstruction after extensive resection of trachea invaded by locally advanced thyroid cancer.