Surgical outcomes following tracheal reconstruction in patients with post-intubation tracheal stenosis

The aim of this study was to evaluate the surgical outcomes of patients who underwent tracheal resection due to post-intubation tracheal stenosis.

Between January 2014 and December 2021, a total of 44 patients (32 males, 12 females; median age: 48.2 years; range, 13 to 68 years) who underwent tracheal resection and reconstruction for post-intubation tracheal stenosis in our clinic were retrospectively analyzed. Demographic and clinical data of the patients, radiological imaging, and laboratory results and operative and postoperative follow-up data were recorded.

The most common reason for intubation among the patients included in the study was trauma. All patients had stridor. Twenty-six (59.1%) patients had at least one comorbidity. Stenosis was located in the upper half of the trachea in 33 (75%) and in the lower half of the trachea in 11 (25%) patients. The length of the tracheal segment removed during surgery was <3 cm in 26 (59.1%) and >3 cm in 18 (40.9%) patients. A total of 16 (36%) patients developed complications. Complications were more frequent in patients with a history of preoperative tracheostomy, presence of comorbidities and resection of the upper half of the trachea. The patients did not receive jaw-neck sutures thanks to the use of retention sutures in our clinic. The median length of stay in the hospital was 5 (range, 4 to 16) days.

Significant predisposing factors for complications include preoperative tracheostomy history, comorbidities and resection of the upper half of the trachea. In our study, the patients did not receive jaw-neck sutures thanks to the use of retention sutures, which increased patient comfort in the postoperative period and decreased the frequency of anastomosis-related complications.