Endobronchial treatment of complete tracheal stenosis: report of 3 cases and description of an innovative technique.

Tracheostomy is often performed in patients requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation. Complications include tracheal stenosis, more often below the stoma than suprastomal. We report 3 cases of suprastomal complete obliteration of the trachea, all of which were successfully managed endoscopically using diode laser, mechanical dilation with the rigid bronchoscope, and stent placement.