OBJECTIVES: Retrospective survey (over 13 Years) of the surgical treatment of 46 acquired tracheal stenosis, in adult patients. Our goals were to study their epidemiology, changes in the surgical technique with the cervical or endoscopic approach, and the recent contribution of endoprotheses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-six therapeutic procedures were performed for 46 tracheal stenoses. Most of stenoses were post-intubation and/or post-tracheotomy and were fixed in 50% of the cases. We used 21 sleeve resections with end-to-end anastomoses, 9 tracheal stents, 27 dilations, 6 calibrations, and 3 electro-coagulations. RESULTS: The sleeve resection gave 91% success (1 failure and 1 death). The endoscopic treatments were less efficient: 79% for tracheal stents (2 mobilizations), 50% success for iterative dilations. The respiratory tests were meaningfully improved with a mean follow-up of 18 Months. CONCLUSION: Sleeve resection remains the gold standard treatment. For all temporary or definitive contraindications to open surgery, tracheal stents would be an excellent alternative to avoid often inefficient iterative dilations.
OBJECTIVES: Retrospective survey (over 13 Years) of the surgical treatment of 46 acquired tracheal stenosis, in adult patients. Our goals were to study their epidemiology, changes in the surgical technique with the cervical or endoscopic approach, and the recent contribution of endoprotheses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-six therapeutic procedures were performed for 46 tracheal stenoses. Most of stenoses were post-intubation and/or post-tracheotomy and were fixed in 50% of the cases. We used 21 sleeve resections with end-to-end anastomoses, 9 tracheal stents, 27 dilations, 6 calibrations, and 3 electro-coagulations. RESULTS: The sleeve resection gave 91% success (1 failure and 1 death). The endoscopic treatments were less efficient: 79% for tracheal stents (2 mobilizations), 50% success for iterative dilations. The respiratory tests were meaningfully improved with a mean follow-up of 18 Months. CONCLUSION: Sleeve resection remains the gold standard treatment. For all temporary or definitive contraindications to open surgery, tracheal stents would be an excellent alternative to avoid often inefficient iterative dilations.