Resection of tracheal stenosis with end-to-end anastomosis.

We present our experience with circumferential tracheal resection with end-to-end anastomosis. Between 1985 and 1992 we performed this procedure on 19 patients with tracheal stenosis. The cause of the stenosis was related to intubation and/or tracheotomy in 78.9% of the patients. Two to 8 tracheal rings were resected and a tension-free anastomosis was achieved with mobilization techniques that were limited to suprahyoid release, peritracheal dissection, and chin-to-chest suture. Infrahyoid release and intrathoracic perihilar mobilization techniques were not used. The anastomosis success rate was 94.7%.