[Treatment of tumour-associated and scarred tracheal stenoses. Changing pathophysiological perspectives (author's...

Although tracheal resections have been in use for quite some time, they were largely outweighed by procedures of plastic reconstruction, since tracheal resections were extensible to only 2 to 4 cm. At the present time, however, a resection length of up to 70% of the trachea, i. e. 7 to 8 cm, is impossible. The therapy of choice for most obstructive diseases of the trachea is the circular tracheal resection with end-to-end anastomosis. Plastic reconstruction is most indicated for stenoses of the cricoid cartilage. Tracheal protheses should only be used when a primary anastomosis cannot be carried out due to excessive tension. As a rule, this applies to resection lengths exceeding 7 to 8 cm.