[Iatrogenic laryngotracheal stenosis. A follow-up of 20 recent cases]

The aim of this study was to analyse the follow-up of patients with a history of endotracheal intubation and/or tracheotomy because of respiratory distress, surgical necessity or long-term resuscitation. Twenty adults were followed up in a ENT facility for laryngeal or tracheal stenosis, of which 7 cases were diagnosed during 1994. This study shows that, in patients with a history of intubation, or intubation followed by tracheotomy, the stenosis developed within two months after resuscitation with a favourable outcome. After tracheotomy only, the stenosis developed later (2 months or more) with more recurrences. The diagnosis of stenosis was made on gradual or acute dyspnea. While respiratory resuscitation methods are essential and often life-saving, they are not without complications. Laryngeal and tracheal stenosis could be largely prevented by more careful techniques of endotracheal intubation and tracheotomy. Periodic endoscopic airway surveillance is useful to detect stenosis even when there is no clinical symptom.