Use of the intra-aortic balloon pump for dilatation of benign tracheobronchial strictures.

Tracheobronchial benign stenoses may cause life-threatening emergencies. Here, we will describe a novel technique for the management of tracheal and bronchial stenoses using an intra-aortic balloon pump. The intra-aortic balloon pump was used for dilatation of a postoperative tracheal stricture in a 43-year-old man and a bronchial stricture in a 29-year-old woman with Wegener's granulematosis. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications in either patient, and the stenosis was relieved successfully in each patient. The intra-aortic balloon pump can be used safely and effectively for the management of difficult tracheobronchial strictures.