Subglottic resection with primary tracheal anastomosis: including synchronous laryngotracheal reconstructions

Subglottic stenosis is defined as an obstructing lesion in the upper airway lying at a level between the base of the vocal cords superiorly and the lower border of the cricoid cartilage below. Symptoms of upper airway obstruction are characterized by inspiratory and expiratory stridor and dyspnea. Because most of these injuries follow translaryngeal intubation and assisted ventilation with or without tracheostomy, symptoms usually appear within a few weeks of extubation. This article reviews the management, techniques of reconstruction such as laryngofissure, stenting and endoscopic therapy, and the clinical experience (October 1973 through October 1995) gained with the operation of segmental subglottic resection and primary thyrotracheal anastomosis in 80 consecutive patients with benign disease.