[The thoracic surgical treatment of tracheal stenoses (author's transl)]

Where possible segmental resection of tracheal stenoses and end-to-end tracheal anastomosis is the treatment of choice. However inflammatory conditions, especially those that are deeply necrotizing, should be allowed to settle first. The main problem in end-to-end anastomoses in the lower as well as in the upper trachea is the tension across the suture line. In resections over 7 cm in length this tension can be up to 1,000 gm. However in those tracheal resections of 7 cm length this tension can be acceptably diminished by flexion of the neck, mobilization of the trachea and especially the right main bronchus, and by suprahyoid mobilization of the larynx (by Montgomery's method). - The resection and end-to-end anastomosis of a tracheal defect first treated by the open groove method is also possible. Some such cases are presented. - The impaired ventilation of one lung, as with paralysis of the diaphragm and with pleural thickening, seems to increase the problems of anastomotic wound healing.